Badges? We got no badges. We don't need no stinking badges...

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Where's My Stinkin' Badge?

I was talking to one of our esteemed PSU Board members the other day and the topic of badges, particularly belt badges, came up. As you may recall, the Department allowed DJCOs to wear the Centennial badges until the end of 2011. What you may not know is that a commitment was made by our previous chief, Colleene Preciado,  to have regular belt badges in the DJCOs hands by that time. It is a sad state of affairs that our current chief reneged on the deal and here we sit sans badges.

So, I asked what's up with the badges? He said that my timing was good because he had just raised the issue regarding badges in the latest meeting with the chief. When the chief whined about the cost, our noble rep reminded him that the DJCOs had offered to pay for them if the department would provide an avenue for purchase. Of course, it might be coincidence but, didn't the department just put in an order for 100 Glocks for field DPOs?

The way I look at it, our command presence would be enhanced, particularly with the parole realignment, with belt badges. Simple, but effective.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

You're on Notice

VoiceofOC: County's Office of Independent Review Gets Six-Month Notice: http://t.co/oChf67s Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/VoiceofOC/status/106800637588684802

There is Still Some Hope

SDLockhart: After hour of debate, bill to allow resentencing for juveniles convicted of heinous aggravated murders falls short of passing.  Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/SDLockhart/status/106784576290033664 Sent via TweetDeck (www.tweetdeck.com)

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Cop Leaves Assault Rifle

Our cops may get accused of beating people up but at least they know how to keep track of their equipment. It seems a sheriffs deputy back east has trouble keeping track of his goodies. The deputy was cleaning the trunk of his unit out and left the gun, case and ammo on the ground when he was distracted by "trespassers". When he came back to his unit, he got in and drove off, leaving the firearm behind. Of  course, the first question is, what was he doing cleaning his trunk out away from the station? The second question has already been asked: will he come under investigation? Yes.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

A Good Reason Not to Make Friends on Facebook

This is just the latest from the CDCR. If it isn't bad enough the state wants to unload their crap on probation departments in every county from here to Humboldt, now we find out they are just getting around to shutting down inmate facebook pages.

Get this: if an inmate had a Facebook page before he or she entered the system, they are allowed to keep it. They aren't supposed to post on it or anything until they are released but, that hasn't seemed to stop them so far. Apparently, some of the 7,000 (no typo, seven thousand) contraband cellphones they have found on inmates in state prisons so far this year are being used for more than just phoning home. Inmates post to their pages, make friend requests and, communicate with their gangs, all under the watchful eyes of the prison staff. Where do these phones come from?

OK, I hate to say it, but one has to assume either a few bad guards out to make money are bringing them in or the guards are too stupid to figure out how to keep them out from visitors who are sneaking them in. Can anyone say, search? Can anyone at CDCR say, metal detector?  To be sure, it is tempting. A cellphone can garner as much as $1,000 on the prison black market.

So, what are inmates doing on their Facebook pages? According to one story, plenty. Inmates have made sexual advances and made threats towards past victim. One has to wonder how many scams an enterprising inmate can concoct from his lonely prison cell.

Fortunately, Facebook is doing the right thing and cooperating with law enforcement in tracking down prison FB pages and shutting them down. I am now waiting for the other shoe to drop when the ACLU steps in to claim it is a violation of prisoners rights. Does anyone besides me remember when prisoners lost all their rights and had to have them restored by a sympathetic court when they got out of prison?

Monday, August 8, 2011

T-Rack Speaks Out

The most corrupt District Attorney in California, Tony Rauckauckus, has finally come out with a few words, very few, regarding the investigation of the beating death of Kelly Thomas.

On KTLA news this evening, T-rack came on camera to let everyone know that he and his investigators are diligently investigating. For the first time ever that I can remember, he even opened the possibility of charges being filed against the 6 officers. He stated that he had seen the video but fell far short of saying anything definitive about the video itself. Of course, the OCDA has a dismal record of prosecuting any peace officer or political hack that he owes through Mike Schroeder and Susie Girl, even when the evidence is overwhelming (read the Chamberlin case)

A peaceful demonstration was held over the weekend to mark the anniversary of the death of Kelly. This is what strikes me most about this whole incident: Although there is outrage and lots of ranting comments on the Friends For Fullertons Future blog, the citizens of  Fullerton have shown peaceful constraint and an evenhanded determination to see justice done for this man and his family. Just when you think things may die down and the cops will go on business as usual, they come out in force, a quiet force, and make sure the city "fathers" (and I use that term loosely) and the police know they are not going to go away.

Lots of comments on a variety of streams at FFFF have related stories, information about homeless and mental health and the rights of local citizens to be secure in their homes and on the streets of their city. All of this from one blog and a citizenry that has rallied around those that need it most.



Friday, August 5, 2011

Officer Dan Ackerman RIP

Funeral today for Buena Park SWAT officer The Orange County Register

Officer Dan Ackerman, a SWAT member with Buena Park PD, will be laid to rest today at Forest Lawn, Cypress.

On July 29th, Ackerman was finishing SWAT training with his team when he reported feeling tired. He was transported to St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton where he died early the next morning from unknown causes.

Our own DPO Anne Price alerted us to his untimely death. She said that Ackerman was a great police officer along with the rest of his department. He would be sorely missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Six Killed in Probation Accident

3Killed, 7 Injured in Probation Vehicle Accident

Sad news from Tulare County Probation where a van carrying work program kids collided with a pickup truck, killing 3 and injuring 7 more.

The Probation Department driver was seriously injured and 2 of the minors in their charge were killed.

We often go about our jobs daily without much thought of the danger involved. It is too bad it tales an incident like this to remind us.

Be safe out there, whatever your assignment.