Why I hate small towns...

[Xenif]

Ok, this is a meaningless post, but it semi-LEO related, but it is mostly a vent post.

So, I call my local PD today, I've done a few ridealongs in the past, no problems, the officer I ride with is Dustin Gifford. He's a great guy, and we've had a lot of fun together. Lets rewind a little though..

About 2 months ago, I had called and asked to do a ride along, and the officer there, said he asked the chief and the chief said no, I figured, it was just a bad day, maybe too much to do, or that officer was a short leech that week. I shrugged it off and went with another department no problem.

Today I call, I talk to the chief, the Chief says no problem, when you want to go ride along, I say 6:00pm, who's riding then? Oh, thats Officer Gifford, Great thanks chief. I go and buy some new shorts as I had no khanki shorts to wear. I cut my hair (becuase it was long, and I'd rather have it short if I'm on patrol, much cooler, it's hot in ohio).

So, time rolls around, 3:30pm, I remember the Chief saying that Gifford comes in at 4pm, so I'm like I'll just go into the station and see if the Chief will let me start at 4pm (when Gifford gets on), instead of waiting until 6pm, so I get a few extra hours. I'm like, that probably won't be a problem.

So I go in 10 minutes until 4pm, Dustin just got there, he's packing up ready for patrol, checking his gun, etc. We chit chat there for a second, as I wait to talk to the chief, to ask for his permission. I ask him about his house remodeling, we are chatting. Chief comes out, I say, um, Chief, is it ok if I start my ride at 4pm instead of 6pm? So I can start at the beginning of his shift? As soon as I finish he says "Oh you were the one that called earlier today?" I'm like yea, that was m.. "Well you can't ride. I thought you where someone else"... <shocked> "Um, ok, thank you sir" and as I leave I look at Gifford and he's got this "no freaking clue, shrug" look on his face and body expression.

Now, again, if he would have told me on the phone that it was a bad day, or something I would have believed him, and never been any wiser, but, he obviously would have let the OTHER person go, if I was that other person. I haven't ridden in a few months, when I did go out, me and officer Gifford had a blast, obviously Gifford had no clue whatsoever, so I'm like wtf.

Few things to throw into the mix:

1. The new fulltime (used to be parttime) officer is the older brother of one of my old ex's that had a bad split. I've ridden with him as well, at first he didn't know who I was, then he did. We had a fine time riding, no problems or anything.

2. The chief, used to go out with my cousin in highschool or whenever, and supposedly that was a bad split as well.

This is a small town, with it's own set of small town politics, I just don't freaking get it whatsoever. I'm so severely pissed right now. Looks like the next town over is my best bet from now on...

Any thoughts?

[arson571]

I can understand your frustration and sense of being insulted. It seems you have connected some plausible reasons for the chief denying your participation but you must understand they are still conjectures.

I would try to meet again with the chief and respectfully ask if there is anything you need to do or change to be accepted as a ride-a-long as in the past. Express to him that you are willing to take responsibility for any wrongdoing on your part but that you are simply unaware of what it might be. Express your desire to right any wrong that may have occurred. See what he has to say. If he refusing to answer the question, then respectfully thank him for his time and apologize for any imposition. Your respectful and mature approach to this situation may, if not immediately maybe later, resonate with him in a way to see you in a different light. You may also learn more about what is going on and give you a clearer direction about what your next move might be.

[zap]

Two things....

1st NEVER post identifying info on a department or particular officer like you did. That certainly will not help you with that chief...or any chief he knows. (which are normally ALL of them)

2nd...as you should also know....there are a TON of small burgs like that in this state...and the politics (as much as I hate them too) are part of the job...get used to it.

[Xenif]

Maybe I put faith in people a little too much.

[Sipowicz]

1st NEVER post identifying info on a department or particular officer like you did. That certainly will not help you with that chief...or any chief he knows. (which are normally ALL of them)


Question on this. Now, I'm certainly not condoning providing personal information, i.e. address, phone, marital status, etc. but stating an officer's name (and nothing more) seems a bit overprotective. Here's my reasoning:

1. Many departments hand out business cards like candy. Minneapolis only if requested, but regardless the officer's name is on the card and is public.

2. An officer will introduce themselves sometimes using their first and last name, which could be overheard by others in a public setting.

3. Unless the court records are sealed, any cases the officer testified in (or maybe even was subpoenaed but didn't testify) are public record and the officer's name visible.

4. Even if the officer only gives a badge number, if s/he pissed a civilian off enough to come after him, they're going to get his full name via the court proceedings.

Again, I'm not condoning full disclosure here, but I think name is a bit over protective. "Officer <first name> <last name> really doesn't tell me much of anything, and even if I call the department, they aren't going to be forthcoming with more information. Also it is assumed the officer has taken the precautions of unlisted numbers, etc.

I'm all ears to hear the flip side of the story. There may be aspects I am not seeing, I don't know.

[Xenif]

Thing is, the officer I mentioned isn't the one in question. He's a good guy, and at this juncture, I almost hope it's something I said accidently that got back to him (which I dont remember), instead of him bringing something personal into the equation. Also found out, my cousin who is a cop, has said a lot of things about the guy, and they really dont like each other, I hear, and he most defiantely knows he is my cousin, sooooo that might be something as well.

[Missy]

Sip, obviously, I'm not a cop, but can offer my perspective on providing personal information.

Most of the situations you presented require action on the part of someone seeking an officer's name. Others are at the officer's discretion - who he/she gives their card to, etc. I think it simply a common courtesy thing to not provide real life names of people that have no say in the matter, whether they are officer's or not. I know your full real name and would never considering posting it on the internet - anywhere - with or without your permission. It's not my decision to provide disclosure of that information to anyone.

I don't understand why Xenif even provided the officer's name that he has ridden along with - it makes no difference to the post or situation asked. Personally, I would remove it as a courtesy. But, that's just me.

[rescuejoe]

Xenif

Sorry to hear your what has happened. Yes some times ego and small town politics come into play in police work even though we like to think we are always neutral.

Call around and see if you can ride at any other PD in your area. I have been on the job over 8 years now and I still like to go on ride a longs in other cities and when on vacation just to see how others do stuff.

[mcsap]

Small town departments can be VERY political and or run at the Chief's whim.

[Xenif]

I'll be trying to ride along at other PDs that I enjoyed riding with. Just really got me to the point where it almost depresses me, how this could be like this. But, like again, I'm not blowing up the Mayor or anything becuase I don't truly know the entire story, nor do I really care enough to venture forth.

I just.. I dont know. It's a weird feeling. Officer Gifford is a great officer. No one knows him or what department he works for, so I think in this context it's safe. The Chief is a good chief as well, he runs his department really well, military man, the only problem is the ride along permission, and why I cannot ride anymore. Thats why I'm not completely BLOWING UP and saying this guy is an ******* or he isn't, etc. but I dont truly know, and he is VERY strict, but he's a great Chief. One of the reasons I rode along there, b/c I wanted to be seen around the department and want him to get used to my name, so when I apply, he will already know I'm intersted etc.

A county over, the Sheriff's office has a non-certified officer position, where you don't have OPOTA certification but you can still be comissioned officer, if that makes sense. No arrest powers, obviously can't carry most if not all what most of you wear on your belt. It's pretty much for experience, and I would be there to help the officer if need be.

Thank you all for your input, I just needed somewhere to vent o.O
As a show of dedication to those of you who have doubted me in the past, I won't let this little minor setback slow down my path to becoming a police officer.

Thank you all for being officers.
Xen.

[zap]

Question on this. Now, I'm certainly not condoning providing personal information, i.e. address, phone, marital status, etc. but stating an officer's name (and nothing more) seems a bit overprotective. Here's my reasoning:

[edit]

I'm all ears to hear the flip side of the story. There may be aspects I am not seeing, I don't know.


Well, my thinking is that he is wanting to get into a department much like of the ones I work at. I know how the 'network' thing goes. You talk to XYZ chief and say you don't really want to work at ABC agency...but put in your application because you needed a job/or commission. Before you get home XYZ chief has called the chief from ABC and told him what you said. The rub is that not only will you NOT get the job at ABC, but the XYZ chief will likely feel you are not telling him the whole story if you appeared to be a serous applicant to ABC. (yes, complicated ...but that is how it works --only GOD can help you if you lie or change the least detail of your story between the two places)

Obviously, this particular chief has a ...umm....he is not happy with you for some reason. And is not afraid to say so. <shrug> life sucks..get used to it. BUT, the last thing you need is for him or someone who knows him to recognize who you are talking about because of the info you gave out....then give him a call and say that you were online shooting your mouth off about him.

I don't think there has been any agency that I've applied to who did not want a list of EVERYwhere I've previously applied. Don't even think they didn't call and check on the application and WHY I hadn't been hired there yet.

---care to guess what that chief will say when they call him and ask why HE didn't hire you?

(might be attitude...might be something else...or it might be "This kid can't keep his mouth shut! I don't want the latest big drug investigation info going out over the INTERNET for cripes sake! That's why I didn't hire the guy!")




THEN AGAIN.....perhaps he was totally comfortable with you...and was looking at other applicants he was not so certain of. It could be he was just not at the point in the process to do anyting (Council? Mayor? Budget? Case load? whatver?) And, if you can't grin and bear it a little....and he finds out....it could ruin a sure thing.

[arson571]

Gossiping is just bad personal policy; regardless of how badly your feelings are hurt. Attaching a name to a one-sided, negative story with assertions of shady motivations, is not how you'd want people talking about you.

You are on the World Wide Web...emphasis on World. Whether this forum is widely viewed by the public or not, it is reckless to taint another's reputation and air his dirty laundry in public.

[Sipowicz]

Sip, obviously, I'm not a cop, but can offer my perspective on providing personal information.

Most of the situations you presented require action on the part of someone seeking an officer's name. Others are at the officer's discretion - who he/she gives their card to, etc. I think it simply a common courtesy thing to not provide real life names of people that have no say in the matter, whether they are officer's or not. I know your full real name and would never considering posting it on the internet - anywhere - with or without your permission. It's not my decision to provide disclosure of that information to anyone.

I don't understand why Xenif even provided the officer's name that he has ridden along with - it makes no difference to the post or situation asked. Personally, I would remove it as a courtesy. But, that's just me.

Sure. That makes sense. As does the internet thing, and the dirty laundry thing. As Xenif pointed out though, the name provided was not in regards to the negative part of the story. That said, the internet thing comes in to play again. Your key, Missy, is the permission prior to use of name. I wholeheartedly concur with that. I don't really care who uses my name where as long as I know about it. I actually put it out more then I probably should, when I use my Yahoo! e-mail, messenger, and 360.

[Xenif]

Not to get off point, Spiowicz...

360 as in Xbox 360?
If not, disregard.

[arson571]

Xenif,

FYI, 360 is the Yahoo version of "my space". Sip has a page. He put the URL of his 360 on a post recently.

Sip,

Good page my man!

[Sipowicz]

Xenif,

FYI, 360 is the Yahoo version of "my space". Sip has a page. He put the URL of his 360 on a post recently.

Bingo!

I think I have it in my profile now too.


Sip,

Good page my man!

Thanks. I try to update it at least once a month, if not more. I've been meaning to update it in the last couple days, but I just haven't had the time.

[flsogrl]

Xenif
Exactly how small is the town? County?
I live in a very small county and we have different sectors, zones, etc etc.. Isnt there anyone else you can go ride with?
Just because that guy has a grudge, doesn't mean everyone does, and coming from a small town myself, I understand exactly what you mean about small town politics.
Good luck!

[Xenif]

Naw I mean, this is pretty much old news. I came on here to vent, wasn't looking for a conversation. It didn't get to me, b/c I dont let things get to me. Was just looking to put some ink down, so to speak.

I do ride with other agencies, and I'm in the process of possibly getting an non-certified auxilary position nearby so, I'm good ;)

Thanks for the concern