The Dispatcher Volume 3 Issue 2 August 2009

August 23, 2009 Volume 3, Issue 2

The Dispatcher Edited by Severin Hall

Special Interest Articles:

News from the Surprise Police Employees Association

Recent events:

• Recent Events • A Message on common sense • Conflict Resolution

Individual Highlights:

At a recent meeting with the Command Staff the issue of AVL was discussed at length. It has been requested that we communicate to the membership that the AVL system, which has been in use since November 2008, is not being used to proactively target officers that are

traveling above the posted speed limit. The system is being used for the purpose of citizen complaints for the majority of uses. Officers are also encouraged to abide by the rules of the road when not responding to emergency traffic. It should also be noted that the AVL system

has already been utilized for other departments within the city such as City Engineering and Sanitation. City officials outside the Department are also monitoring the GPS system, which is in turn being utilized to observe and improve patrol patterns and beat redistricting.

Conflict resolution, being a team player, and other stupid clichés 1

Conflict resolution, being a team player, and other stupid clichés

Watch your Speed

By Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith

2

Squad Representatives 3

“…Let’s acknowledge that in a paramilitary organization, debate can sometimes be dangerous and unnecessary. Example: standing on the front porch of a crack house, about to ram in the door during a drug raid is an ideal time to follow the team leader’s directions, not debate him on the merits of his entry plan. If you didn’t like

the entry plan, the time to say so was during the pre-raid planning meeting. If you didn’t say something then, there’s a good chance you kept silent because: a) you didn’t want to make the boss mad b) you didn’t want to act as though you were trying to usurp his authority c) weren’t confident enough in your own objections to bring

them forward d) there just wasn’t time for a productive discussion e) some combination of the above possibilities When there is time for debate (in this example, during the pre-raid planning meeting) it should be encouraged — not stifled. Conflict should be embraced, and one of the best ways to do that is to build an atmosphere of trust. If you’re a chief, sheriff, or other executive,

Watch Your Speed

“Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealings” --Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is a lot to be said for common sense…if you are responding to a 907 where a code 4 has already been given… do you really need to travel 101 mph to get there? Common sense should dictate. If you are responding to a fire assist and fire is already on scene advising that our

response is merely to assist and not vital… do you need to travel 114 mph to get there? Common sense should dictate. You will go a long way in this business by following the policy guidelines, and letting your common sense dictate situations. Speed is becoming

more prevalent as the AVL system emerges as a vital method for monitoring the patrol vehicle speed. Keep in mind that all of the information compiled by the department is public record and can be requested by anyone, at any time, for any reason.

Available SPEA Board Position Interested in serving the Employees of the Surprise Police Department? The elected SPEA Board still has a vacant position. We are currently seeking 1 Civilian Representative. If you, or someone you know is considering a position on the Board, seize the day, it may not be vacant for long.

Current Board Members include, President-Doug Lynch, Vice-President-Tim Murel, Secretary-Jason Washburn, TreasurerRick Malone, Public Information OfficerSeverin Hall, Civilian Representative-Don Dial.

Contact a Board Member to get enrollment paperwork for non-enrolled employees.

Get involved and help increase our numbers.

Test your OIT Per Policy, What is the response time for a rotational wrecker? During what time frame are shorts authorized for wear? Answe

rs: The 15 mph school zone starts at the 15 mph sign which cannot be posted farther than 300 ft from a yellow marked crosswalk and ends after the crosswalk.

The hours for residential construction are 0500-2100 hours, excluding city jobs. Submit your own brain buster to the Editor. [email protected]

Upcoming Meeting Items Meet and confer is upon us and items will be discussed at the meeting on August 26, 2009 at 1800 hours at the Valley Vista Media Center.

requests will be honored or even considered by the City Officials.

Meet and confer is the opportunity for Employee Associations within the city to approach the City Officials with concerns or requests that they feel are necessary for job performance, safety, etc.

If you have a concern related to the performance of your duties, changes to city or department policy, safety, wages, or any other concern that you feel has not been adequately addressed by the department or the board you are welcome to bring up the issue at the upcoming SPEA meeting.

Members should also understand that not all

During the meeting we will also be collecting signatures of

the current members to inform the City that the SPEA Board represents the interests of the majority of its members, and is allowed to bargain with the city on their behalf. Please keep in mind the current economic situation when making requests for items that are likely to cost the City or the Department financially may not be deemed reasonable.

Courtroom Testimony A recent Superior Court civil traffic appeal has caused a stir within the Department. When testifying in a Speed case, 28-701A, Officers should testify that they felt the speed of the vehicle was unreasonable and imprudent based on the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time, not just that the

violator exceeded the posted speed limit, as certain Judges have begun finding violators not responsible for speed violations based solely on exceeding the posted limit. For example, a certain judge did not feel that 55 mph on eastbound Bell Road approaching Civic Center Drive at 1915

hours on a Friday night was by itself, unreasonable. This Judge therefore found the violator not responsible. Keep in mind the traffic conditions and areas of the violation when testifying in speed violation cases, and testify to the unreasonableness of the speed until further notice. Cases are currently on appeal regarding this issue.

“ We in America do not have governme

.” --Thomas Jefferson

Member Rosters & Current Information Surprise Police Employees Association E-MAIL: [email protected]

We are still attempting to get current e-mail information for all of our members, be sure to contact a Board member and ensure that they have your current contact information. This is

Meetings A meeting is currently scheduled for

August 26, 2009 at 1800 hours, at the Valley Vista Media Center.

Classifieds List your items for sale here; just contact the editor at [email protected] !!!!

the best, most efficient way to make sure all members are kept in the loop, and up to speed. If you know someone who has been left out in the cold, have them submit their name, personal phone

number and personal e-mail address to the editor at [email protected].