The
Fraternal Order of Police Longmont Lodge 6 does not conduct telephone
solicitations. However, some State and local FOP lodges do. If you have
a question about a solicitation telephone call you received requesting
that you make a donation to the FOP, please contact Colorado FOP State
Lodge.
*********************
If you
are not a member of the FOP, you are only a voice of one. You need to
unite with us and become an active and important member of the FOP
today. We are growing and will continue to grow. We all know the benefit
and strength of a unified voice. There is power in numbers, power that
produces positive change. There is and has always been strength in
unity. Every group in this country that has ever been able to accomplish
anything has done so because they banded together, got themselves
organized, and formed a strong advocacy group. Yes, there is strength in
numbers, and there is also accomplishment in sacrifice. Just think about
that and be proud you belong. We certainly are proud to serve you.
You may have to invest some of your money, some of your time, and some
of your abilities. Help the FOP fight for fair treatment and fair
compensation for all law enforcement members. Join the largest and best
Police Organization in the country, and know your family and yourself
have the all protection the Fraternal Order of Police can provide. Over
390,000 law enforcement officers can’t be wrong.
Sincerely,
Stephen Schulz
President - Fraternal Order of Police
Longmont Lodge 6
July 1, 2007
Brothers
and Sisters of FOP Lodge 6,
As most
of you are aware the stated primary goal of the membership of FOP
Longmont Lodge 6 is to obtain the right to collectively bargain with the
City of Longmont on wages, benefits and working conditions. That goal
was incorporated into our local constitution by the membership of this
Lodge when it was formed last year. The elected officials of your
lodge are duty-bound and committed to that goal. In 2004 we conducted a
hard fought city-wide election to obtain that right. We were narrowly
defeated. The lodge gained considerable political experience, and
learned a lot from that election. We are confident we will do better in
a future election if the initiative/referendum process is presented as
our only option.
Many of
you know that the “Federal Step-Pay Lawsuit of 2003” and the “Collective
Bargaining Charter Election of 2004” were expensive actions. They were
also actions decided by the membership and demanded of its leadership.
In the two years following those expenditures we have recovered
financially, and find ourselves once again in a position to carry forth
the will of the membership. As a result it is time to begin planning
for future political action.
That
political action is not limited to a City Charter election. This fall
there are three council seats up for election including the Mayor’s
seat. We plan on getting involved in that race. We have already been
approached by one candidate seeking our support. We will support,
endorse and work for those candidates who are sympathetic to our goals.
The results of this fall’s council election will be the key to the
direction we take in 2008.
In
addition there are things developing at the state level that could
impact the direction this lodge takes to obtain collective bargaining.
Legislation will be introduced next year in the state house by the
Colorado FOP State Lodge which, if passed, will give public safety
employees the right to collectively bargain. This bill stands a real
chance of passage in 2008. The FOP has had favorable discussions with
Governor Ritter that gives us cause for optimism. We have the support
of key people on the hill. The political atmosphere is the best ever
for the chance of passage, and we are confident the Governor will sign
the bill if it reaches his desk.
In any
event we firmly believe your goal will be realized sooner than later.
We are working to that end. Strategies for the future and preparation
to improve your voice in the workplace are beginning now. There are
very important issues to be decided over the next several months. Your
input to the elected officials of your lodge is crucial to these
decisions. We urge each of you to become involved in your lodge and
contribute to your future. This includes staying informed and
participating at the membership meetings of your lodge.
Each of
you knows attendance at quarterly meetings is the best way to learn the
facts, get involved in your profession and organization, and decide how
this organization can best represent and serve its members. Meetings
provide a forum where issues can be openly discussed and if there is
need for change, motions can be made and voted on to be decided by the
majority of the membership present. The next business meeting of
Longmont FOP Lodge 6 is at 1800 hrs, Monday, July 23, 2007 at
the VFW on south Main Street. We hope to see you there.
Fraternally,
Stephen
Schulz
President FOP Lodge 6
January 17, 2007
Brothers and Sisters of FOP Lodge 6,
Welcome to the New Year, which we your Executive Board hopes will be a
prosperous and successful one for our Lodge, the Longmont Police Department and
the policing profession as a whole. This year has the potential to be
the best year ever for FOP Lodge 6. However this cannot be accomplished without
the help and support of its membership. In the past year attendance at our
quarterly meetings was the worst I have seen since 2002. At one Lodge meeting
the members of your Executive Board were the only ones present. Personally I for
one think that was a disgrace and an embarrassment. I know there were no major
issues at hand such as collective bargaining, or someone’s pay being illegally
frozen without legitimate reason. I also know that we go through periods like
this every few years but that is not an excuse for members not being active in
their organization; or at the very least attending a meeting once every three
months.
I have heard complaints about various things in your organization coming from a
few members over the past year. Unfortunately, those complaints did not come
directly to your Executive Board from those members who had the issues. Instead
they came through the grapevine to me from other members who felt it important I
hear them. One of those issues was the amount we all pay in monthly dues. The
amount decided by the members of this organization, not the board. This is an
issue which should be debated at a meeting; but those who have voiced concern
have not attended any meetings to discuss it, or even tried to get their
concerns addressed. I want to make this very clear, if there is a problem with
the City, the Department, members of Lodge 6 or its Executive Board, those
issues must be addressed and we are free to talk at any time. It would be
preferable to discuss them in a meeting format; but if it needs to be dealt with
immediately a board member should be contacted and we guarantee it will be
handled.
Each of you knows attendance at quarterly meetings is the best way to learn the
facts, get involved in your profession and organization, and decide how this
organization can best represent and serve its members. Meetings provide a forum
where issues can be openly discussed and if there is need for change, motions
can be made and voted on to be decided by the majority of the membership
present. If the Executive Board and a handful of concerned members are the only
ones present, the rest of the membership will have to live with the decisions
made by us few, as opposed to the decisions made by the membership as a whole.
This is not what the Executive Board wishes to see, because this is not our
organization it’s yours. Remember FOP Lodge 6 is governed by the membership and
they direct the board they have elected to represent their interests.
I have not written this letter out of anger towards any member or members. It
has been written out of frustration. All that the Executive Board wants is what
is best for all of you and our profession. I implore everyone to take on the
burden of attending quarterly meetings; so all within our ranks have the
opportunity to make things better through representation in your FOP Lodge 6.
I know there have been a handful of brothers over the last two years who have
left FOP for PLEA. Most were claiming financial reasons for their decision.
Some of these brothers and sisters have already returned and others are
seriously considering returning. They day will eventually come when most will
again be with us. Those that have returned have seen the difference between the
two entities and have made their decision to do that based on research and
experience between what the two have to offer.
PLEA is not a police representative organization. They do nothing more than
offer a 3rd rate legal defense plan whose attorneys do not have the
necessary experience and expertise in this area of law to consistently provide
adequate legal defense of a law enforcement officer. That is what you get for
three dollars less a month than FOP legal defense. Nothing more; but certainly
a lot less. PLEA does nothing to represent you or your profession, but then
that’s why you pay dues to your organization.
I know what FOP Lodge 6 has to offer and so should each of you. We take care of
our members and stand by them in any fight for justice. For example when one of
our brothers ran out of all leave time due to illness and no more donated time
was allowed; FOP Lodge 6 stood by that brother and paid him a full week’s pay to
make that brother whole. FOP Lodge 6 stood by a former FOP brother who had left
our ranks, and later was involved in a critical PSU. This brother unfortunately
was terminated from employment based on a poor decision and inadequate legal
defense; but he was appreciative of the fact FOP Lodge 6 stayed in contact to
check on his progress and his family, offering help and assistance where we
could. In addition FOP Lodge 6 runs an annual golf outing to raise money for
our members, but more importantly, for two outstanding charities: The Missing
Children’s Task Force and Concerns of Police Survivors Inc (COPS).
Finally our most recent example is the 2006 Public Safety Tax election. Not
only did the chief need this but also the city government. And who did
they turn to for endorsement and support? FOP Lodge 6! We saw
it as beneficial not only for our department, but for the men and women who work
here. So we gave our endorsement and support in the form of advice, campaign
donations, distributing yard signs, handing out flyers, writing letters to the
editor, and submitting timely guest editorials. We, your FOP were instrumental
in getting that issue passed. One might ask why the city government came to
us? My response is because we are organized. We know what it takes to promote
an election. We have political influence in this city evidenced by the nearly
successful grass roots election we put forth in 2004 for you, in 2005 getting
one friend elected to city council (there will be others in 2007), and enlisting
the positive response of our political contacts to this year’s election when we
asked for their support of the tax issue.
The list of what your membership and dues brings you is long, and I could go on
about what we do and the recognition all the members of our Lodge receive. All
of this in addition to the tremendous work and representation we get at the
state and national levels of the FOP, and also the benefits we will achieve
through CPOC. What I simply ask of all of you is your input and involvement at
our meetings. Without you and that, FOP Lodge 6 is nothing more than an
organization of seven board members making decisions, which are later second
guessed by the uninformed.
Yes, you have the best legal coverage in Colorado and possibly the nation; but
that is not what I believe most brothers and sisters have joined the FOP for.
We are part of a special organization that fights for the rights of all of us
and our profession. A fight which begins at the local level and works its way
up to the national level and back down. We are police officers representing
police officers, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP. That is
what we are, what we are part of, and what your FOP Lodge 6 stands for. Don’t
ever lose sight of that. I hope to see all of you at the next quarterly meeting
on Monday, February 12, 2007 at 6:00 PM at the local Longmont VFW Lodge.
Fraternally,
Stephen Schulz
President FOP Lodge 6
December 7, 2006
Brothers & Sisters,
It is an understandable fact that some of our
members' loyalty to their organization only extends as far as their wallet. It
is a fact that the FOP's loyalty to its members extends to the level of quality
services provided. It is also a fact that the main reason some officers belong
to the FOP is solely for its excellent legal defense coverage. Finally it is a
fact that the majority belong because of a sense of brotherhood, quality
representation in workplace issues, and political representation from the
national to the local level of the FOP.
When examined closely the choice of either FOP or
PLEA legal defense becomes more than just a matter of money. What level of legal
defense is offered by PLEA? When compared side by side the FOP legal defense
plan is by far superior. But an even bigger draw is the quality of attorney
offered when it comes down to the defense of a law enforcement officer. That
defense is viewed not only at an administrative level but more importantly at
the civil and criminal level.
Let’s face it with most administrative issues the
officer has, in all probability, done something in violation of departmental
procedures. Having legal defense coverage, regardless of what plan, is not a
“get out jail free” monopoly card. Unless falsely accused the best an attorney
and his client can hope for during the administrative process is to mitigate the
outcome, insure due process, and protect the officer’s rights.
This is where attorneys, whose practice
specializes in the defense of law enforcement officers, factors in. Attorneys
from the firms of Bruno, Colin, Jewell & Lowe, P.C. and Hamilton &
Faatz understand the uniqueness of our profession and they are recognized
when dealing with internal affairs units and hearing officials. They have the
expertise and “opposition familiarity” to best mitigate a final administrative
outcome.
However, where the cream separates from the milk
is in defense of law enforcement officers who are facing civil and criminal
actions; or both. Here, more than anywhere else, the FOP legal defense plan
shines. With the law firms of Bruno, Colin, Jewell & Lowe, P.C, and
Hamilton & Faatz; the FOP has under contract Colorado’s top two law
firms in that specialized area of law. These two firms have a successful
proven track record and are certainly in the forefront of any officer’s mind
when it comes to these matters. There is no law firm or attorney in Colorado
that can match their expertise or experience in this specialized area of law.
On the other hand we have closely examined the
attorneys and law firms under contract and offered through PLEA. While they are
in all likelihood good in their various practices and specialties; none of them
have notable track records or experience at defending law enforcement officers
in legal matters arising from the nature of their work.
Several are criminal defense
attorneys, DUI attorneys, employment attorneys, and at least one specializes in
real estate, bankruptcy and probate. Several have potential conflict of interest
issues when it comes to defending law enforcement officers. For example the law
firm CPPA/PLEA advertises as their crown jewel is Senter Goldfarb & Rice, L.L.C
with attorney Thomas S Rice as their “go to” guy. Senter Goldfarb & Rice, L.L.C
are noted for their defense of city governments in civil matters.
They are currently on retainer with several municipalities
including the City & County of Denver. They are on the recommended list of the
Colorado Municipal League.
They tout Mr. Rice’s successful defense of the
City of Castle Rock to the Supreme Court (CASTLE ROCK V. GONZALES (04-278) 366
F.3d 1093, reversed.). This was a suit based on the plaintiff’s allegation of
government’s duty to enforce a restraining order. Admittedly Mr. Rice did an
excellent job on this case. However, what is not mentioned is that Mr. Rice was
representing the City of Castle Rock and not the individually involved officers.
His firm was under contract with the city in that case. It was in that city’s
interest to include the involved officers in this defense. Had that not been the
case Mr. Rice would have been representing the city, and not the officers. In
fact the Bruno law firm represented the Castle Rock officers in this case, and
filed an Amicus Curiae brief (friend of the court) on their behalf.
CPPA/PLEA
fails to note that fact in their advertising, and uses Mr. Rice’s notable
victory as being in defense of the Castle Rock police officers. What CPPA/PLEA
has admitted in a communications received by us is that Senter, Goldfarb & Rice
can represent CPPA/PLEA members for criminal and civil actions but not for
administrative because of a CIRSA conflict of interest.
As an alternative firm CPPA/PLEA
offers the firm of Benezra & Culver, L.L.C as their alternative when it comes to
all three forms of legal defense. To our knowledge this firm has no track record
in defending law enforcement officers in any of the crucial areas of law
enforcement legal defense. Additionally, a review of the attorney “bios” for
this firm places them on the philosophical opposite side of law enforcement.
As an example, Mr. John A. Culver is an active
member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
A review of the other attorneys offered by CPPA/PLEA
reveals similar results. Mr. Frank Lauer has represented the Pueblo Police Union
for years, does only their bargaining, and refers any disciplinary matter
which can't be settled out. He doesn't touch civil or criminal, and has never
even thought about going to a critical incident. Mr. Andrew Peters
(Grand Junction) who’s claimed practice in law is as a DUI attorney.
His information is available at his website:
Mesa County DUI
Attorney .
Mr. Steven Louth is an ex-Boulder County DDA who
is now a criminal defense attorney and regularly finds himself up against law
enforcement officers when handling his criminal cases. Finally, Diane
Goldenstein who specializes in Real Estate, Probate, Bankruptcy and general
civil law with some criminal defense.
There is an oft used phrase of wisdom that, “you
get what you pay for in life”. This is certainly applicable when it comes to
PLEA legal defense. We have no argument with the abilities of PLEA’s attorneys;
just their experience and expertise in the specialized area of law involving law
enforcement. Our profession is unique and the legal problems officers find
themselves in are even more unique. It takes an attorney with experience and
expertise in this area of law to consistently provide adequate defense of a law
enforcement officer. The fact of the matter is FOP has those attorneys. CPPA/PLEA
does not.
October 15, 2006
The Fraternal Order of Police
represents nearly 90 percent of the police officers employed by the City
of Longmont. We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives daily
to protecting and serving the community. No one knows the dangers and
the difficulties faced by today's police officers better than another
officer, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP.
On Tuesday, November 7, Longmont
residents will vote on an increase in the City’s sales and use tax.
This vote will not provide for higher wages or better benefits for
Longmont’s police officers, but it will provide for a safer community.
The Fraternal Order of Police believes this is an issue crucial to
public safety services in Longmont. Longmont has always been a
progressive city. Our citizens expect high quality and responsive police
services. If approved, proceeds will be used to increase the level of
service for public safety in Longmont. If approved, this tax will
benefit every citizen of Longmont.
Longmont isn’t the bedroom community it
once was. Longmont is not immune to the growing crime issues that face
most major cities in Colorado. As Longmont has grown, the resources
necessary for police services have not kept pace. Providing the kind of
police services our citizens expect for a city of this size, with our
current police staffing, has become difficult at best. If police
staffing is not brought up to acceptable levels; then something will
have to give. That something is the level of service provided.
Crime is not a police problem; it is a
community problem. Proactive “Community Oriented Policing” is a proven
approach to effectively reducing crime versus traditional reactive
policing. However, it is more labor intensive and thus requires
additional resources. Community interaction is a primary principle of
Community Policing; but when officers are stretched so thin that they
are in their assigned beats less than 50% of the time, this becomes
difficult if not impossible. With police staffing levels the way they
currently are, officers often go call to call. This reduces patrol
time, increases response time, and interferes with an officer’s ability
to do the necessary follow-up investigations on cases while the
investigative leads are still warm.
Public safety services affect each
citizen and are considered the most essential of all publicly funded
services. Our everyday work is in the interest and safety of the
community. However, due to serious staffing issues officers are
commonly responding to calls without adequate back-up. This places the
officer and ultimately our citizens in danger. A minimum of two officer
responses are required to safely handle domestic violence, weapons
calls, fights and disturbances, persons under the influence of alcohol
and narcotics, and mental subjects who are out of control. This is a
citizens’ and an officers’ safety issue.
Longmont has armed robberies,
methamphetamine labs, homicides, gangs, street narcotic sales, and
prostitution in addition to domestic violence, burglaries, traffic
problems and quality of life issues. Longmont has more documented gang
members on the streets than the City has police officers. Not to
mention felony probationers, registered sex offenders, and active cases
dealing with narcotics distribution in the City. And without wanting to
project doom and gloom or grandstand, we are just as eligible for school
violence as Bailey or Columbine. When faced with ever rising calls for
service and insufficient staffing, a police department is left with two
choices: Increase staffing to meet the demand for service; or reduce
services in order to effectively handle and investigate priority and
emergency calls.
Police officers strongly believe in
their duty to serve and protect, and are committed to our citizens and
community. You’ve counted on your police officers for help and they
have always been there for you. Now your police officers need your help
and your support. Funding provided by this tax will provide the
staffing and resources necessary to adequately enforce the laws,
preserve the peace, reduce fear, and provide a safer environment for the
citizens of Longmont. Ultimately the real winners will be the community
we so proudly serve.
The Fraternal Order of Police does not
look at this as a tax increase; we look at it as an investment in the
future of our city. The citizens of Longmont will decide in this
election the level of public safety service they want and are willing to
pay for. The members of Longmont’s Fraternal Order of Police urge the
citizens of Longmont to vote yes on 2A for a safer community. As a
result, the real winner will be the taxpayer.
President Stephen Schulz
January 15, 2006
Many of
you may remember that during our 2004 collective bargaining campaign we
patterned our efforts after those of Ocean City, Maryland’s successful
2003 campaign. Longmont’s FOP board worked with the then Ocean City
President Sgt Mark Paddock through close communications. We received
advice and counsel from him on our campaign strategies. We did so
because their city’s demographics, local politics and the make-up of
their lodge closely resembled that of Longmont. Ocean City's FOP had
previously come very close to achieving collective bargaining in city
elections. Falling just short of the necessary votes to achieve
victory. However, persistence paid off and culminated with their
November 2003 election victory.
Ocean
City
FOP negotiated their first agreement with the city the following year.
Immediately following the 2003 election there was tension as both sides
tried to sort out what the future held. They had been at odds for
so many years that the suspicions about each other ran deep.
However, it became obvious that now that the voters had spoken (and like
it or not) the relationship between the parties had changed. Both
sides were now forced into a position of deciding to put aside the
differences of the past and working out a responsible relationship that
served all parties and the citizens that put them across the table from
each other; or continue to battle in a non-productive manner.
It wasn't easy but cooler and responsible heads on both sides prevailed,
and city administration and the FOP have since developed an excellent
working relationship with each other.
This
new and productive employee-employer relationship, which has come as a
result of that achievement, surprised both opponents and proponents of
collective bargaining. Especially considering the bitter battle in that
and previous elections and the inevitable division in the ranks that
occurred between pro-union officers and a small minority opposed. That
probably was the biggest victory for both the police officers, the
citizens, and the city administration. The revelation that there was no
“boogy man” under the bed, and that management and the union could work
together in relative harmony under collective bargaining, has sped up
the healing process and formed a foundation for a relationship that had
never before been seen in that city.
During the election and its aftermath several members had quit the
organization in anger over not having their philosophy prevail over that
of the majority. As history teaches us effective strong leadership
within organizations eventually give way to change, and new leadership
steps in to move the organization to the next productive level.
Ocean City was no different and a change in local leadership resulted.
The leadership that was necessary to take their organization to current
success stepped aside to a new leadership that capitalized on that
success. Since that time internal healing has occurred and all but
three of those members who quit the FOP came back into the ranks.
The organization has experienced revitalization and has come closer
together as a group more than anytime in its history.