In Anne Arundel County, Md., the sheriff's department has recalled 13 of the agency's 38 cruisers designated as take-home patrol vehicles. Officers assigned to those cars now must drive from their homes to headquarters to pick them up, Maj. Rick Tabor says.
Maybe it is time that our county take a look at how the price of gas is impacting us...
GO HERE to see the official article.
15 comments:
Joe,
Just sent you an email about carpooling. Is there something we can do to start a carpool listing?
Melissa Malone, Delmar
ive often seen law officers in state/county cars at food lion,sport events and such. i never really new if this was abuse of the system or something law officers were entitled to. they do risk their lives for us daily, seems kinda petty. maybe they should be able to take vehicles home if they were only using them for back and forth to work purposes. they could equip the vehicles with navtrak, so all vehicles could be monitored for wastful off duty uses,"wireless" technology does have some advantages. that way if there was an emergency the officers would still have ready acess to their cruisers, and the county/state would have controll over abuses and hand out whatever disaplinary measures that could be warranted.
Over the years, I've seen many an off-duty cop jump into a crime or accident scene.
Not once have I seen an off-duty city engineer or inspector jump into that kind of action.
I have seen public works guys (and gals, to be p.c.) called in at odd hours, but they drive in with their own cars and get whatever vehicle they need.
First of all, I do not believe any police officer out here working the sreets gets paid enough. Good officers and troopers are so hard to find I personally have no problem with the "take home" perk. It does provide a deterrent to some crime and I also have seen quite a few off duty police officers working well after their shift was over.
I don't think the fire chief or police chief needs a take home vehicle either. Isn't the fire chief taking that brand new Crown Victoria home to Delaware every day? Gee, he dosen't even live in the state of Maryland much less the city of Salisbury. Doesn't the two deputy chiefs have brand new take home cars that they take out of town every day. I heard they use them as family cars as well because they are "on call." What a joke. The city needs to do what is right and tell them to park those vehicles. Does the city make them pay a mileage fee for the take home vehicles like the state does?
I have an idea. I know that the LEO's who have take home vehicles are entitled to use them off duty with certain limitations. It was part of the deal when they were hired. Times are tough right now and we ALL have to tighten our belts.
I think that one option would be to continue to allow the officers to take the vehicles back and forth to work but for now limit it to that. BUT.....since the county buys fuel in bulk, there is a discount on the cost of fuel per gallon to the county. Perhaps the county would permit the deputies to purchase fuel for one of thier personal vehicles for what it costs the county. Seems like a good compromise to me.
US Department of Labor has the following Job Description for Law Enforcement Officers:
People depend on police officers and detectives to protect their lives and property. Law enforcement officers, some of whom are State or Federal special agents or inspectors, perform these duties in a variety of ways depending on the size and type of their organization. In most jurisdictions, they are expected to exercise authority when necessary, whether on or off duty.
Although I understand the want and need to cut expenses, there are a few expenses that shouldn't be touched.
An officer shouldn't have to drive away from a crime to pick up his cruiser before heading to a crime scene. And a fire department shouldn't have to second guess how many trucks are needed at a fire. If my home is being invaded, I want the police there as fast as possible, and if it's my house on fire, I want every fire truck that can fit down my street there to help! I'll be there handing out the coffee as fast as I can make it!
1:40
My question to you is...why does an officer have to drive away from a crime to get his car. If he is a professional, he would stop in his personal car.
I am willing to pay more taxes for the police to have a car at home.
But we dont need no more fire engines. we should accually take some of those historic fire engines sell them and buy police cars.
Anon 1:40. Here is just one of many examples. Bad traffic collision on a major rode where a vehicle with EMERGENCY LIGHTS is utilized to block off or warn motorist of the roadway closure. I've been at numerous accidents where the police were not there yet and more cars slammed right into the wrecked cars. Also will there car insurance cover something that happens to their own cars if utilized while in the performance of their POLICE DUTY.
Well, with the economy the way it is and the cost of fuel, why couldn't we allow the officers/firemen to have their take home vehicles, but require they buy the gas for a portion of its use (say one third perhaps), which would cause them to think twice before using them for personal trips. The maintenance is covered by the City, so paying part of the costs for their use seems reasonable to me. I also do think there is too many plain old city workers who get to take a car home. That needs to be stopped now! And the same goes for the county. I used my own car for any business I had as Library Director.
A. Goetz
If that would happen then maybe deputies should move to Delaware, and out of the high tax state of Maryland.
How about no US Mail deliveries on Saturdays????? Thats a start.
there's a guy in my neighborhood who is a state fire marshall and he uses his state vehicle to drive to southern Maryland all the time for personal visits. He is a good guy and all, but I don't agree with all of the personal trips in a state owned car. He always takes his girlfeind with him. If he wrecks can she sue the state? Liability issues here?
Does Pocomoke still have a Police officer who lives in Delaware with take home privileges? Thats only about 40 miles. Nice perk.
Post a Comment