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Chief Jerry Kramer was finishing off his yearly reviews of officers when he noticed something amazing. One of his officers, Eli Pitts, has not gotten a single citizen complaint in 2013. According to the chief, if Officer Pitts has not pissed off a civilian to the point of filing a complaint, the officer must be being lazy on duty.
Citizen Complaint form
As punishment for his laziness officer Pitts is having a letter or reprimand placed in his file and also will be demoted from his position as a Field Training Officer (FTO).
The chief had intended to give Officer Pitts a few days off, but figured the union would file a grievance. Being a FTO is an appointment that the chief can revoke at anytime without notice. Losing his FTO status will cost Officer Pitts money in guaranteed overtime that FTOs get for filling out evaluation paperwork and weekly training team meetings.
Chief Kramer had this to say.
“We all know that getting a complaint is a sign you are doing something right. People only complain when they get mad. People get mad over tickets. People get mad over being arrested. People get mad about any enforcement action that cops take. So if Officer Pitts did not get any complaints he must not have taken enough enforcement action.”
But officer Pitts does not see it the same way.
“I treat people with respect. Just look at the numbers, I write more tickets than the so-called average cop at this department. I take the same number of quality of life calls as anyone else. But due to my demeanor I don’t get people all pissed off. As such they have nothing to complain about. The chief should see me as an example on how to be a better cop, not as a slacker.”
Based on the wording of the union contract no grievance will be filed. But Officer Pitts is hoping that general public opinion will get that letter removed from his file.
