“Wearing an FLPD badge and wearing our patch in the academy is no longer an honor. We have become the joke of the county. We no longer have pride in our agency. City hall treats us like we are the most corrupt department in the world. It’s ridiculous to think that. Yes, we do have officers that do stupid things, but we do a good job of policing ourselves; we are far from corrupt. We will NOT trust our upper managers until someone stands up to city hall and says enough is enough. Our officers continue to do more with less and it is not appreciated, especially in patrol. We need help. I want my pride back.”

“After many years with the city of Ft. Lauderdale I do not have confidence in management leading us in the right direction and have found myself, for the first time of my career, believing that B.S.O., or any other agency, taking this department over would be in the best interest of our members. This is not based solely on monetary grievances but rather the current climate of discipline, while our members are overworked. Get off our asses or pay us to take the bullshit I hear about everyday.”

“With less to offer and growing micro management adding stress as well as a more dangerous environment caused by decreased staffing it is not hard to imagine why people might leave. How can any officer feel trust of the city when a commissioner is allowed to accuse officers of wrong doing with no facts. If an officer did it they would be fired or sued or both. Why would an officer make an effort to take a dangerous suspect into custody knowing if it became a shooting the Politian that they work for will burn them, right or wrong? I think the good citizens want us to do the job the right way and the top staff in the city should back that, as would be unimaginable here. *The mayor should send a clear message that he supports us wants criminals caught and if a dangerous felon tries to kill a cop it will not be tolerated, and he will keep the contract competitive with other places where it’s safer to work.*”

“No support from the city”

“Due to the extreme miss-management of administration and micro management of the police dept I see no other solution but to leave to the coral springs PD who I have a current application. They pay is terrible in Ft. Lauderdale and morale can’t get any worse. If Lauderdale is the worst police dept in Broward County and it shows with the treatment of its officers. I should e gone by October so good luck to all who stupidly stay in this dump.”

“Prior to Alan Silva and the new regime Ft. Lauderdale Police Department was a great place to work. The only city employees that are being compensated for their efforts are the city manager and his associates.”

“If the city could still award a great contract and if I was offered a position with another agency I would not hesitate for a second to accept. Every other agency has everything that we are bargaining for. If I was to go somewhere else I would eliminate 10 years of headache and negotiating for a modern contract and modern technology.”

“I hope the city of Ft. Lauderdale govt. recognizes we the F.O.P. Lodge 31 need an equal contract. If not I can only see the department not keeping veteran officers. GOOD LUCK!!”

“I have too much time here. If I had less time I would leave ASAP!”

“The city is a great place to work, however the current administration seems to be destroying the morale and employment desirability for the workers. The city (location) and its residents make it a good place to work- not the administration”

“It is with great sadness that I watch my once proud, premier, traditional and honorable Ft. Lauderdale Police dept fall apart at the seams. To serve here under the cloak of Brown pride was what little kids dream about when they want to grow up and serve a community as a police officer. To serve today’s city of Ft. Lauderdale and its police department is the most demoralizing and embarrassing I’ve ever seen. We are systematically beat over the head by police department managers, city officials, the public, and the media day in and day out we are treated like children and expected to be held to the highest standards. Our profession is based on one simple yet profound principle, wrong and right. We watch as our beloved police department and city falter at the hands of “leaders” who carry out injustice almost daily. As we are expected to do our jobs to enforce law and order, our leadership makes us feel devalued and mindless. I would recommend to any incoming employee to consider going elsewhere. I wish it wasn’t true, but I am ashamed of what we have become. I have very little hope for a bright future here and wait for positive change….”

“It is a shame what this department as become in such a short time, hopefully it is not too late to change and become the department we once were.”

“I am very dissatisfied with the lack of courage the city and upper management at the PD displays. I came to this department with great energy but the city and PD management has drained me of that. I will never do anything extra for this city until it shows me it cares. I am not negative by nature.”

“I have an exiting strategy planned for 2008 if an equitable contract is not reached. Due to the poor working conditions and lack of good police officers in this department my attitude is now on self preservation. I will be one of the good officers that will walk away.”

“The city wasting money on things like cameras and AVLs shows where the staffs priorities lie.  Instead of spending that money on useful equipment, it is wasted on things that have never saved the life of an officer. The city and staffs disregard for our safety and lack of concern for increasing violent crime is troubling.”

“They have ruined morale, loyalty and trust of the troops. They lied in the last contract, George said “just work with me”, “the next contract will be for you guys” Bull SHIT. Please tell these jerk offs they got us this time, so just screw us and get it over with.”

“Money is not the most critical element of an employee’s motivation. Work environment, being appreciated, having a clear understanding of what is & is not expected, fairness and integrity at al times are more important. Nothing here is new to any beginning business administration class. The problem is we have digressed from these ethics. Until a focused and identified vision exists, this agency will flounder.”

“We need to be made whole. Raises to the top in the county, since we do the most work in the county. A COLA is mandatory (min 3%). We need to be able to grow financially without leaving law enforcement. Currently the only way to grow economically is to quit being a cop and become an Administrative Supervisor. If you make more money than me; you should know the answers, not have to refer your subordinates to me. How about we, the FOP, introduce/propose a “master” patrolman system and detective “grades”. All increasing in pay as you go up. The city needs patrolmen that know what they are doing and they definitely need detectives that know what they are doing. Pay them for their decision to stick to it and be a career patrol/detective. Mandatory minimum 3 years in patrol. No sergeants with less than 5 years. All fort Lauderdale time. Not elsewhere we have to demand this, the city won’t. We have to tore-establish our selves as THE police department. More training dollars. A Mandatory wellness program. The stress of this job is killing us. Ask Dr. Purloff, the city’s cardiologist. He will support this!”

“They city should work on improving morale.”

“As I am about three quarters of the way through m career, I am saddened that we are at an all time low as far as working conditions and morale. I understand that the City Manager is top executive of the City of Fort Lauderdale, but I do not understand why he feels he must completely control every minute decision that takes place in our Police Department. He and his “companions” have changed this Department in such a negative way. Our Chief has little authority.

I am extremely offended that sexual orientation has become such a major point of hiring, promotions, and power. I am for fairness concerning gay rights and for creating diversity in our Department to better represent the community. I am not for advertising in risqué magazines and for putting officers on the fast track just because they are attracted to someone of the same sex. It has also occurred with unqualified minorities and is apparently worse now. Promote on merit for once- no matter who that may be.

We have suffered through terrible contracts and furlough days. City Hall has beat down this Police Department and will obviously continue to do so. I do not know of one person that enjoys coming to work in this present atmosphere. Not one. That is something that I never would have believed previously. Our Chief has no power and is seemingly unable or unwilling to regain any power or decision making capabilities. 

I am disgusted that City Hall has done everything to second guess and put fear in officer’s minds about performing our duties. I am ashamed that officers regularly put their lives on the line, while our City Government caters to dangerous criminals and undeserving citizens at our expense. It is just unfair and disgraceful that we are second

guessed on a regular basis. All the while, the public is given every opportunity to vent and react in any manner they choose, as we cater to their every need. The reverse discrimination and the failure to fairly defend or support our officer’s actions is absolutely sickening.

I do not understand why Gretsas and Hebert have continued to punish two specific officers who are highly ranked on the sergeants list. Just for performing their duties? How can their authority be above the law to such a degree that not only do they commit traffic offenses, but they successfully ruin or delay the careers of those qualified officers who have enforced laws? That is worse than a double standard. They promote less qualified officers to make their point?

Congratulations to City Manager Gretsas and Hebert- they have completely ruined a 500 officer department in record time. And Chief Roberts has stood by and allowed this to happen without a fight. I doubt this once great Department will ever recover from their presence. In a few years they will be gone and this Department will continue to suffer from their ideology and methods. I’m sure we’ll get a mediocre contract this year, but more importantly, it will be pitiful place to be employed as a police officer. Gretsas and Hebert have made their point- this place SUCKS!”

“Thank you for providing this opportunity to share some comments concerning our profession and the political interference we perceive within the City of Fort Lauderdale leadership.

Question #3

The City of Fort Lauderdale, compared to other cities in South Florida is a great place to work. The question asked is very vague so my interpretation is the geography, the community events, the multi-cultural diversity all make Fort Lauderdale a wonderful place to work. If the meaning is working within City Government, then the answer is reversed and a strong NO is my reply. The “us versus them” stigma is so strong now, the employees are afraid to work. Employees spend more time worrying someone is out to get them rather than focusing on using initiative and doing a good job. The term, “no god deed goes unpunished” is very pertinent. The employee who does the absolute minimum makes the same pay as the employee who works harder and makes a mistake and gets into trouble.

Question #4

I used to recommend the City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department to anyone who asked me about becoming a police officer or fire-fighter. The reputation, the various specialties within the department and most importantly the absolute best opportunities and benefits make me proud to share my agency with the general public. NOW? I’m embarrassed to tell people to apply with our agency because the perception is very strong that the supervisors, managers and City leaders don’t care about their public safety personnel.

Question #5

It is plainly obvious by recent comments and diatribe made by members of city leadership; they have no confidence, support or trust in the police officers they hired to protect the community. It appears the officer on the street is nothing more than a target of revenge and political attack than a valued and respected member of the city team. Of course, when a hurricane strikes or the officers catch murderers, rapists or thieves, no one notices or says a thing. After all, it’s just our job!

Question #8

If the direction mentioned is to create hardship, hostility, anger, depression, hopelessness, futility and dissension, then the City is definitely moving in the right direction. If it is the city’s intention to create trust, respect, teamwork and a proud family atmosphere then I’m dumbfounded and don’t understand the strategies being employed to accomplish those goals! It does not appear to me the City Leaders are following the mission set forth in the charter or the mission described according to the police department.

Final points to consider,

2007 is going to be a pivotal year for the City of Fort Lauderdale, its residents, business owners and most importantly, its employees. Whether it is going to be remembered as a positive and productive year or a depressing and dismal year is entirely up to our city leadership! What our leaders will not be able to do is point fingers or claim “they just didn’t know” about the issues and concerns that have been foretold for the past several months. The exodus has already begun and we are losing great talent. To ignore these warning signs is nothing more than criminal and the cost will be paid not only in money but blood!

Failing to recruit, retain and support the best candidates to work in the City of Fort Lauderdale will cause our “once great” city to implode and force “emergency management” upon us. No less than 10 years will have to pass before we will be able to stabilize operations and enjoy a happy and healthful city with excellent quality of life again! I ask our city leadership to allow their officers, firefighters and other public safety personnel to run their departments with the professionals who are specially trained to lead them. In other words, let the Chiefs be the Chiefs and make the decisions as they see fit without having to look above and wait for the “civilians” to decide if and when….

Our city leadership should remember a few things with the concerns raised.

· Intense oversight, harsh scrutiny and micro-management techniques without cause, all create disenfranchised employees.

· Fort Lauderdale is not the only game in town and as everyone is now seeing, one of the lowest ranking “games” around.

· A good reputation with good benefits and strong support are basic tenets for recruiting the best candidates why aren’t we pursuing this?

· Once we spend the money to recruit and train new employees, we need to retain them so other cities don’t enjoy the fruits of Fort Lauderdale’s labors and steal them away from us!

· Take care of the employee and the employee will take care of his or her employer. This is the BOTTOM LINE!

· If we are unable to look at the history of similar situations and their outcome, we are doomed to repeat them.

I hope our city leaders have a contingency plan in place if they choose to ignore the issues, concerns and plight of their city employees, and in particular, their public safety. If our leader’s goals are to browbeat and triple guess the decisions made by their chosen managers, then they are well on their way to completing their mission of destruction. God help our citizens!

Signed,

A disheartened Fort Lauderdale Public-Safety Employee but still looking for the light at the end of the tunnel!”