That Other Shoe?

It came down and dropped on me, Saturday afternoon, July 11th.

I checked the voicemail on my work cell phone (repossessed at the end of this month) and received the info I dreaded and, yet, suspected was coming.

I just didn't quite suspect it would come with the various proscriptions attached.

I lost my position at work.

Persons with less seniority than me were kept; I was told to leave. In terms of sergeants, I have the most seniority of all four in the division. Apparently that held little water. In overall division seniority, I have more than the other three sergeants. Apparently that held little water. And in the department, if I were demoted from sergeant to deputy, I would be number three in the entire department. Apparently that held little water.

Additionally, I was told that I do not have "bumping" rights in the division.

A steaming helping of "politics," anyone?

Unfortunately, now glaringly-obvious, over the years in the division, in retrospect, I was likely considered an "obstructionist." I did not immediately "buy off" on each and every money-losing and/or hare-brained scheme in the Training Division and -- obviously -- those around and above me have memories. I made some -- ahem -- public statements in various meetings that I suppose could be construed to be, uh, well, not particularly supportive.

Further, I ruffled feathers when I wrote, in Blogger (http://leftcoastevoc.blogspot.com/), of a particularly egregious and dangerous driving act performed in public by a law enforcement officer. This blog was sent to my EVOC instructors. Rather than admit they had a problem in the street, the union president called our Sheriff and had my blog shut down. When the Sheriff gets involved personally, you've drawn attention. So, rather than solve the problem, the illuminator of the problem -- me -- was silenced.

I guess, in consideration, I really shouldn't be quite shocked. I brought all of this down upon myself by questioning practices, pointing out reality, and not being completely congruent with political forces.

And, in reflection, I wouldn't have done anything differently; I wouldn't change a thing.

All along, I supported my troops. All along, I provided material to my managers when I believed their power was being challenged or usurped. Some recognized it; some did not.

I cannot complain when my position is eliminated; I can complain, however, when -- in consideration of seniority -- I am not allowed to "bump" persons in the division with lesser seniority and stay in Training.

Training is the cornerstone and the foundation of any good law enforcement department.

When you pull that cornerstone, when you diminish and corrupt that foundation -- sooner or later, you will pay the price.

Overall, I will survive. I know that.

My wife is taking three furlough (unpaid) days per month from the State of Fornicalia. Additionally, her pay was cut another 5% last Thursday. That's a 25% cut in pay for her. I've lost my 12% training pay and my position. I'll likely wind up in the jails somewhere.

But: I still have a job -- with 30 years under my belt. She still has a job. 300 On-Call deputies were eliminated in my department. 209 full-time deputies were laid off.

How about you? Do you have your job? Were you laid off, suffered a reduction in pay, work hours, job conditions?

It's time, ladies and gentlemen, to stick TOGETHER as AMERICANS.

Maybe, somehow, we can provide help and support and positivism to each other. . .

You have to take these times, bear down, grit your teeth and declare: I am a survivor. I will not be a victim.

I am not a victim.

BZ