Clock Watching

Never really considered myself much of a clock watcher, until lately.

I have always been an early bird. I prefer to arrive at my destination early. If I arrive on time I feel like I am late. If really early, I set in my car and read for a bit.

I like to come early to work and have "attitude adjustment time" where I can read the notes on the bulletin board, fix my coffee, socially talk with co-workers, and get into the "work" frame of mind. This is done on my time, not the time I am being paid to work.

But too many co-workers like to walk in one - two minutes before the beginning of their shift. Or come in several minutes past the beginning of their shift.

Come on folks.

You like to be relieved from your shift on time, please give me the same consideration. I understand an occasional late arrival, but 4-5 work days a week???

This is truly an epidemic here. So by the time you are signed on, and have been briefed, too many times it is 10-15 minutes past the end of my shift and I'm not getting paid.

Solution: Arrive 5 minutes before the beginning of your shift. You know it takes at least that long to get signed on and briefed, so when your shift begins, you are ready, and when my shift ends, I can go home.

This offered solution is for every dispatcher, not just those that relieve me. You don't have to come in 10-15 minutes early like I choose to, but be ready to work, which means in control of the dispatch panel, by the beginning of your shift.

Professional courtesy is all I'm asking.

Thought for the Day

"We live in an age when pizza gets to your home before the police."
Jeff Mader, Actor

Is this not a great quote? Our agency has as part of its motto (not quoting exactly to protect, well, me): Response in professional, courteous and timely manner.

Reality: If you're lucky you will get a Community Service Officer or Cadet to your residential burglary in an hour. If you're lucky you will get an Officer to talk to your neighbors about their loud music in less than three hours. If you're lucky, you will get that callback from a light duty Officer or CSO or Cadet for the telephonic report of lost property or fraud within two days.

The above is not an exaggeration.

Officers are much better in responding to accidents and fights and shootings. You know, those "hot calls". Where they get to be a real police officer. Not a secretary taking personal information from a victim of theft or counselor listening to the whinings about unruly neighbors.

After all, most of those wearing a badge didn't hire on to play nursemaid to society. They hired on to fight crime and help the innocent. And it allows them to rubberneck in the front row of trauma and drama.

Yeppers... pizza delivery companies have learned the best way to get business is to be prompt and courteous and offer good merchandise at a fair price. Oops. We're not looking to increase our customer base. We're hoping to eliminate it as a final goal.

But there are components we in the law enforcement forum might want to consider for good public relations. Like prompt and courteous service. The good merchandise being professional acting Officers, CSO's, Cadets and Dispatchers. The fair price they pay is their taxes the citizenry already pay. Let's give them good bang for their bucks.