I’ve been out of law enforcement now for almost four years. I know this because my ex-partner on the force and I have an annual golf outing to celebrate our freedom from the geniusry of the law enforcement system in North Carolina.
I don’t stay in contact with many of my former partners at the department because I’m lazy but when I see them around I always stop to chat for a few minutes. It was at a recent outing with the kids that I ran into an old co-worker who’s still with the department and we got to talking about the “good ol’ days.”
As I’ve been saying for over two years now, we have a serious retention problem here in Cabarrus County with all of our law enforcement agencies. I can’t speak for any other departments but Concord, but it’s easy to see why.
Health Insurance is 900 dollars per month for a family. All total, benefits for a family are over 1k per month. That’s not great considering there’s less that 300 hours of overtime per year for the entire department. That, and the fact that the average new officer brings home a little less that 1500 dollars per month after taxes and before benefits. Contrary to popular belief, if you get a full-time job at Wal-mart or K-Mart you get benefits that cost 1/6th the cost of a police officer in this county. It’s kind of sad when you are arresting a shoplifter there and are envious of the greeter guy.
Off duty- the bastion of any officer- has been at a premium in recent years. According to my brothers and sisters still in the department it’s gotten a lot better but not enough to pay the mortgage and keep the kids in diapers. It fluctuates on the seasons. There’s always something new taking the place of something old and when that happens the waiting lists start all over again.
Working conditions still aren’t great in terms of what you as your primary job function: Arresting and prosecuting criminals.
Due to the hacks in Raleigh and the Litigants in Cabarrus County, places to put repeat, repeat, repeat offenders are still greatly lacking and it looks as though it will remain as such for years to come. As for probation and parole: I’d suggest a look at the Eve Carson case before you go touting that as the solution. It’s exactly the same here as in Wake County.
Our courts system is already greatly understaffed, even for a “smaller” county like ours. Instead of developing a contingency plan to keep our systems from becoming a mirror of Mecklenburg County, our wonderful state legislature is just watching like spectators for the inevitable collision.
Oh and lest we forget that Cabarrus County is in the same Federal Courts district as Mecklenburg County so all of those neat-o federal laws designed to “get tough” on gangs, violent criminals and gun traffickers NEVER get enforced in our county.
The bottom line is: our protectors are looking everywhere for jobs to pay the mortgage and they’re finding them!
We’re in a recession and it’s still a walk in the park to find a job with better pay and benefits that our local law enforcement scene.These folks are getting out of law enforcement all together. A few I know are even going to be teachers and if that doesn’t say anything about the disparities then I don’t know what does.
At last check, ALL of our departments were understaffed. At present, Concord PD is missing 6 officers and that’s to keep them at current staff not proposed staff to adequately patrol all our jurisdiction, including all the areas we’ve annexed in the past two years.
The issue isn’t that they’re leaving: It’s what is the consequence after they’ve left.
My first year was a blur. After completing field training, I was useless for my first 4 months on my own. I still wanted a second opinion for every arrest and was completely lost in dealing with something new or out of the ordinary. By the time that first year was up I was learning my areas, the good folks from the bad, the typical M.O. for the various things I was dealing with. I basically became comfortable in my own skin. When I left, the person who replaced me had the same problems with self confidence and the sharp learning curve. When he quit last year, the guy who replaced him is going through the same stuff right now. It’s a cycle that won’t end for most of our departments. That leaves us as citizens in a questionable position at best.
So, What’s the point in all of this?
Well, it should at least get a conversation going. It will also (hopefully) get our local officials who read these posts thinking about the future. With all the mess left from the CTA controlled board, it’s easy for things to fall through the cracks. For my money, the new jail, if it ever gets build will be a shining example of us moving in the right direction. Even more than the NCRC or anything else.
Finally, it should have you asking questions about your actual safety. I used to tell people I dealt with that if you want a great report taken after the fact, call the police: if you want to prevent it from happening, get a security system…and a gun…
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14 responses so far ↓
1 Steven H Smith // Apr 5, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Aaron
You are right about alot of things in this post except that I believe that Cabarrus County is the the Middle District and Mecklenburg is in the Western District of the Federal Court System.
The Police are underpaid here and everywhere else. Compare the Department of Social Services Salary schedule with that of the Cabarrus County Sheriffs’ Department if you want to see something that will make you sick. The County Sheriff makes less than most of the other County Department Heads. He can’t even find enough people to staff the new jail thats going to be built.
The County Commissioners must address the Salary despairity between the Sheriffs’ Department and other law enforcement agencies in this area. Some time ago, someone published the salaries of all of the County Employees and the Sheriffs’ Department was at the lower third of the schedule. I don’t know why anyone would want to be a Police Officer. Their underpaid and get no respect. They lay their life on the line everyday they go to work with little or no thanks from anyone. Truck Drivers make more money than a Captain on the Sheriffs’ Department.
2 Aaron // Apr 5, 2008 at 5:16 pm
If Cabarrus County has changed federal districts then it is a new change (after 2005).
I tried at least 20 times to get firearms charges taken to the federal levels on folks who our state courts system kept letting go and was told every time that there are too many folks waiting on charges in Meck County for them to even consider my cases.
The Western district line used to be Iredell/Rowan County. I know this because one jackass we were looking for ran to Troutman to hide from us. They picked him up and long story short: He was in a federal prison less than 3 months later for charges the middle district refused to even look at…
In terms of salary disparities: The sheriffs deptartments pay is right on par with both of the city police departments in the county. The problem is that as we grow larger annually and have to hire more officers to keep pace with development (if and when we ever hire more, instead of just stretching the existing one’s more thin) we never increase the starting pay, or the across the board pay more than 3% which just keeps relative pace with inflation…
It’s well known in Law enforcement that they are the black sheep of the “family” that is a municipal government. They spend and spend and never make a dime to go back into county coffers. All fines and court fees go to the state who doesn’t build roads or jails with them. Add to this the fact that most politicians have “an acceptable level of allowable crime” built into their thinking, as long as we stay below this line, they’ll keep looking the other way. My biggest fear is that they’ll do this just like Meck County did and then it’ll be too late…
3 Justin Thibault // Apr 6, 2008 at 12:10 am
Steve - It was Harold Smith who posted everyone’s salaries. I thought it was crass and I asked him not to do it.
Aaron - I’ve never told you this; but I think your analysis of the pay situation for law enforcement has been solid, and brings a lot to our discussion. You do a good job on these posts of leaving the reader thinking “Someone oughta do something”
4 Aaron // Apr 6, 2008 at 9:57 am
Thanks Justin!
You should’ve known it was only a matter of time before I retread this topic on the new Cheap Seats. Like the post says, I ran into a really good friend from the department and was told that everything is the same as it ever was, which reheats the aggravation!
As for what to do: Well, that’s another question:
We need another tax like I need another hole in the head but what else is there?
5 MarkMartin // Apr 8, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Aaron - Law Enforcement, one of my favorite topics. And as Justin pointed out, you have a solid viewpoint. If someone can solve the problem of how to increase the pay for Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, and Teachers; can one imagine the impact?
I am concerned for Harrisburg. As Harrisburg continues to grow, at some point, ‘renting’ deputies from the sheriffs department isn’t going to work. Besides the expense of starting a municipal police department, where are the resources going to come from?
6 Steve Smith // Apr 8, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Mark
Harrisburg still gets a better deal from the Sheriff’s Office. If you don’t believe that, go ask the Stallings City Manager or the Mint Hill City Manager what their buget is for their police departments. As you already know that the Sheriff had assigned a Harrisburg Division consisting of a Sergeant, 10 patrol officers and a Detective with full time backup from the ajoining County Patrol Areas as well as coverage from the SWAT Team and Bomb Squad if needed. I realize that Harrisburg is funding most of this Division but its still cheaper than if Harrisburg tried to fund its own Police Department. You used to agree with this concept, what has changed your mind concerning the the Sheriff’s Department and its coverage of Harrisburg.
7 MarkMartin // Apr 9, 2008 at 9:38 am
Steve - It is not that I don’t approve of the concept of ‘renting’ deputies from the Sheriffs Department, it is the fact that with the expected growth in Harrisburg; at some pont that growth may very well outpace the Sheriffs Department ability to adequately provide law enforcement. The agreement between Harrisburg and the Sheriffs Department does not provide ‘dedicated’ resources to the Harrisburg Zone 24/7. There are times when the Harrisburg Zone does not have a deputy on patrol. The agreement gives the Sheriffs Department complete control over the resources in the Harrisburg Division, even with the Town paying for all equipment (including the cars) and paying the cost of the agreement. If a deputy assigned to the Harrisburg Division receives a call from the Sheriffs Department which requires them to leave the Harrisburg Zone, they go. No backup. I am not saying that they shouldn’t go on a call outside the Harrisburg Zone, I am just pointing out what happens. An ‘all hands on deck’ situation in the surrounding Harrisburg area, empties out the law enforcement coverage in Harrisburg. It is a control issue. The good news at this time is the fact that Harrisburg enjoys a low crime rate. The primary needs are traffic enforcement, petty theft, and the once a year investigation into a bank robbery. So the concern I have isn’t approving or disapproving the concept of ‘renting’ deputies, it is strictly related to determining if this concept is the right model for the future when Harrisburg goes from a population of 6,000 (today) to 15,000 by 2012 (projected population).
8 Aaron // Apr 9, 2008 at 10:05 am
You’re looking at the exact same scenario Mint Hill went through in 2002. The cost of renting the CMPD officers exceeded the cost of starting their own Police Department. That’s why Mint Hill has it’s own Police Department now, and at a savings to the residents…
Further still, through mutual aid, Concord or even Kannapolis SWAT teams could handle a situation in Harrisburg. This happens even today when large situations requiring many hands take place it’s not un-common for Concord to request assistance from County SWAT.
All agencies in the county are very cooperative with each other in these matters…
9 MarkMartin // Apr 9, 2008 at 10:16 am
Aaron - You are right regarding the cooperative nature of all law enforcement in the County. I think an appropriate plan for Harrisburg (when the time comes) would be to collaborate with the Sheriffs Department to transition over a period of time. A mutual agreement that uses a mix of municipal resources combined with services from the Sheriffs Department. One major item that must remain intact is the County 911 system. Harrisburg would not want to create another 911 system and should continue to utilize the County.
10 Steve Smith // Apr 9, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Mark
Would you be in favor of County Wide 911 like Mecklenburg under the operational control of the Sheriff???? That would be consolidation in some form. Not a bad idea for cost cutting, dont you think??? It would include Concord and Kannapolis, all Fire Departments and EMS like Mecklenburg.
11 Aaron // Apr 9, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I believe there are plans being mulled over to do just that here in Cabarrus County. Depending on how they structure it, I can go either way…
12 MarkMartin // Apr 10, 2008 at 9:42 am
Steve - Yes, I would support a County wide 911 system. I believe consolidation is the path to savings for the County. Consolidation with District Representation is the future.
13 Justin Thibault // Apr 10, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Mark - I’m not a big fan of approaching public safety from a cost-savings standpoint - especially something that will impact response time. If having disparate 911 systems will get an ambulance to my house 30 seconds sooner: I’m willing to pay for it.
14 Steve Smith // Apr 16, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Justin
I’m not sure that the present system is doing the best job as far as the 911 services. Consolidation
would improve the service and reduce the overall cost the the Cities as well as the County. This is one area that needs elected officials attention. What do the current candidates think about it?????
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