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Paso Robles Police officers’ fight for public safety

October 17, 2012

STATEMENT By THE PASO ROBLES POLICE OFFICER ASSOCIATION

The purpose of this media release is to express The Paso Robles Police Officers’ Association’s (PRPOA) disagreement with the action the city has recently taken involving the rehiring of a retired Sergeant into a previously unfilled sixth sergeant position.

In June of 2012, the Paso Robles City Council voted to hire more police officers bringing the total number of sworn officers to 32, with one of those positions being assigned to the San Luis Obispo County Gang/Narcotic Task Force. Within this staffing approval of sworn personnel there was to be nine supervisorial/administrative positions, one chief, one captain, two lieutenants, and five sergeants.

An additional sergeant position had been budgeted for in years past but had not been filled since staffing reduction and was not going to be filled until significant staffing had increased to the budgeted allowance of 46 sworn officers.

Had the PRPOA been advised of the city’s proposed action, we would have suggested alternatives that better suit the needs of the department now and in the future. Specifically, the PRPOA would have proposed the hiring of new officers to fill vacant positions before the hiring of another supervisor.

The Paso Robles Police Department already has a large supervisory staff. We feel patrol officers are what is needed and would benefit the citizens of Paso Robles. Had the city requested the PRPOA’s input, our suggestions would have focused on the hiring of new officers and putting more officers on the street.

The PRPOA understands it was the council’s desire that the open sworn officer positions be filled, to allow for minimum staffing of four officers per patrol shift, and one officer to be designated to the county task force.

At the time the decision was made, the suggestion was that the vacant sergeant position not be filled until staffing levels reached 46 sworn staff. Currently the department staffing levels are; 28 sworn officers, nine of whom are designated at supervisorial positions.

The PRPOA calls into question why a tenth Supervisory position that has gone unfilled for many years due to cost cutting measures has now been filled by a retired supervisor, while there is still patrol officer positions still unfilled?

The PRPOA understands the city ultimately has the power to hire personnel, but the PRPOA believe with open dialogue and by working together, the City and the PRPOA can fill vacancies and help form this department that is most beneficial for the citizens we serve.

Tony Ruiz is the president of the Paso Robles Police Officers’ Association.

 


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What dose a police Sargent do I assumed that they would also be on patrol? Are they investigating Crimes?

Most trades Ive been in try to staff 1 management to 5 staff ratio but that in the private sector.


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After reading the POA concerns, I have to side with them. Why were they not informed of this rehire?

Our Paso PD has had to carry on after the embarrasing Soloman issue and go out into the public and do their jobs. I don’t understand why they were not involved in this decision. The Police Department and the morale of the officers should matter. These people put their lives on the line for this city. THEY SHOULD MATTER. Rodney King’s message many years ago resonates with me, “why can’t we all just get along”?


We are suppose to be on the same team so why the “slam dunk” to the officers of Paso yet again?


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Like most cities in this county Paso has decided to hire another elite manager instead of taking care of the line officers. Paso has a staffing problem not a lack of managers problem. If you look closely at what is going on, the people that are abusing the retirement system come from this group, not the line officers. The line personnel do not have the ability to spike and manipulate there pension. I hope when Paso does hire a new Police Chief that it hires the best for the job not some politically correct politician. I am afraid the “advisory group” that was selected will select exactly what the city does not need. I do not see a single leader in that group. Sorry, but sometimes the truth hurts.


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A sergeant is hardly an “elite” manager but your point is still fundamentally correct.


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Of course Paso PD needs another supervisor! Sheesh! Someone’s gotta manage the highly important Riverbed Rapid Response ATV Monitoring Squad and the Massage Parlor Elite Response Team! Oh you stupid locals: more lowly patrol officers aren’t even necessary…unless you’re expecting quicker response times and an increased feeling of safety…


Who cares about the increased gang activity, drive-by’s near Sherwood, rampant drug use at PRHS… City Czar Jim “phat bald guy” App [his words, not mine] knows what he’s doing!

He’s the City M A N A G E R, remember?! He can hire anyone he wants! He’s been a ball of management wisdom during Chittygate, Nacigate, Sewergate and Roadgate!


Lie down, Paso residents and do what you’re told! Stop “ranting and raving” (City councilman Hamon’s words during last night’s council meeting); stop criticizing the poor mayor and his fellow comrades!


Crappy roads, increased crime, closed public pools, deteriorating infrasctructure AND a huge focus on tourists’ desires–not those of locals–are just fine!


*****sarcasm******


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Note the details of the PRPOA statement and begin to understand how Paso City Government is broken. No communication between City Management and the officers on the street who could have at least shared their opinion.


John Hamon’s comment on selecting Dennis Cassidy, “It’s just an advisory board.” How should we take that? That the Council and/or City Management is going to do what it wants anyway?


Why should we not expect the same top down, dictatorial management style we are experiencing until there is a change in the players who keep defaulting to the only management style they know?


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JB Bronson– So true. Voice your thoughts tonight at the CPRN2012 candidates’ forum starting at 7 p.m. in the Paso Robles Grand Ballroom. All candidates will be there, except council incumbent Fred Strong, who has said he won’t be there because he doesn’t like the citizens’ group’s objectives.

The mayor may show show up late, he said.

Do people in Paso give a darn? We’ll see tonight.


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Hamon sounds like he doesn’t give any weight to the advisory board’s input, which should not be a surprise to anyone who is familiar with the city council.


Why waste time and other resources on an advisory committee that means nothing?


The PR government is SOOOO screwed up.


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The advisory committee is just a coverup for the city manager’s cronyism. Corruption begins at the top.


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Another case of top heavy government. It seems like the cuts are always at the bottm. Example being the school system. On a yearly basis we hear about all of the classroom teachers that are being laid off. We NEVER hear of any supervisor positions being affected. Now here in the police department, like the school districts taking from the classroom, the city is taking police officers from the street. The citizens in Paso Robles should be in an uproar that the city council is allowing this to happen.

Politics at its best.


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So true, Mr. Holly. Also, I’d also like to know how much the $$ salary is for our newest unnecessary sergant vs. what a new patrol cop would’ve been paid… I assume the taxpayers are once again paying more and receiving less!


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I guess he must be from the GOOD OLE BOYS CLUB OF LISA,S, business as usual in PASO


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