Where do you stand on the Policemans' Union Benefit contract?

[L210]

Originally Posted by TexasRedneck

Each line item should stand on its' own merit. To evaluate cost/benefit they should consider comparable salaries paid elsewhere - but that should NOT be a justification for pay raises/cuts, IMO. Someone sweeping a floor in 100+ degree heat (or sub-zero temperature) SHOULD be paid a bit more than those doing so in an office.

And IMO, a garbage collector - while VERY necessary - isn't facing the loss of his LIFE, or his personal assets - during the course of his job. A LEO that makes a poor decision in the heat of the moment CAN be sued for that decision, risking jail time and/or personal lawsuits that can take away everything he owns. Are they all perfect? Of course not - and those that cross the line SHOULD be punished - but 98% of us have little appreciation for just what they risk when they put that uniform on, believe me.

When we encounter a jerk in our daily jobs, we can walk away - even tell them off. A cop can't do that - he's expected to remain calm and deal with the jerk (who is intentionally TRYING to tick him off) in a "professional" manner. And when we run away from a dangerous situation, we expect HIM to run TO it, protecting us with his very life.......and if in the process he accidentally somehow "violates" the offenders rights, he's in serious trouble.

I'm not saying I disagree, but using that line of reasoning, then a lot of other professions deserve top of the line benefits. One is more likely to die or become injured in some of the construction trades and truck driving than as a police officer. Security officers, detention and correctional officers, and parole and probation officers are also in danger of being assaulted and murdered. Correctional officers are assaulted on a regular basis and usually only have pepper spray to protect themselves. Some of this applies more to county and state agencies, but COSA does have security officers and detention officers. I actually know someone who, although he wasn't working directly for COSA, he worked at City Hall through a contractor. A homeless person fought with him, took his gun, tried to shoot him but luckily the magazine fell out during the struggle and he didn't have a bullet in the chamber, and the homeless person proceeded to beating the security officer over the head with his gun.