The four murders that took place over the first weekend of December brought Chief Davis before the public to call for enlarging the force. According to the chief, his department was stretched so thin to cover the investigations of the rare spate of killings that he had to draw officers and detectives from other duties. He wants to hire 600 additional people over the next five years and boost the force by 35 percent. But, as Scott Herhold pointed out in his column last week, given the high cost of each member of the force, can the city afford to acquiesce to the chief’s request?
Mayor-elect Reed supports the notion of enlarging the force, but is worried about the cost of doing so. The city already spends $256 million dollars on the 1,346 officers and other staff that we have. A senior officer will make $107,000 next year. The ratio of officers to citizens is low by state standards, and the area covered by the force is very large, to say the least. And with all the new residential developments in the works, these ratios aren’t going to get any better.
I think most people would agree that the police department we have is a pretty good one. Of course, there are the controversies that you find in any big city department and there are always a few bad eggs. But, given the population and size of the territory, I think they do what is expected of them and our chief is a good one. As the city grows, I can certainly understand how one could come to the conclusion that more officers are necessary.
So, what’s the answer? Do we bite the bullet and support Chief Davis with enough dollars to give him what he wants? Can we afford it and would we want the council to shift the city budget around if necessary—including cutting other programs—to cover the additional cost? Will adding officers make an appreciable difference? Or, do the priorities of the department need to be reordered so that they can make do with the force they have? What do our bloggers think?
If Davis wants more cops, he should stop buying those stupidly silly Segways, stop flying that overly expensive helicopter, ask council to cut the RDA and return the property tax dollars back to the general fund, and ask council to stop the Evergreen and Coyote development, because we don’t have the cops to cover the sprawl. Reform it Reed!
Working cops are good. But lavish retirement packages will bankrupt us.
Government leaders needs to stand up to public employee unions and negotiate like a business person who cares about the future unfunded liabilities that we’re piling on.
At last, someone else who agrees that the RDA has run its course and needs to be be disbanded!
No one in their right mind would publicly sign their real name to a suggestion that public safety peoples’ retirement is way out of line, I sure wouldn’t, but new hires should have lower expectations!
Jerry
Public safety should always be the number one concern of government, especially at the local level. It trumps everything else, in my view.
That doesn’t mean we rubber stamp every request from the chief. I think more officers are in order, some re-prioritzing would also help.
Two things need considerable scrutiny—pensions and the percentage of disability retirements.
I’d like to hear Chief Davis make his case before I make a final decision on what is needed.
Whether or not the police force should be increased is a question that should be approached the way a family does a food budget. If current food spending results in meals that are meager or of poor quality, and there isn’t another coupon to clip, then the family must decide to either grin and bear it or increase spending.
Are San Joseans prepared to grin and bear it?
I don’t think so. Everywhere one looks in this city there is a call for more residents, more retail, more nightlife, more corporate growth. A family can’t claim to be bearing it when they’re expanding their family, shopping at specialty stores, and entertaining the neighbor kids and dad’s clients—not to mention feeding an unlimited influx of total strangers.
That’s a lot of new plates at the supper table. Lots of hungry domestic combatants, neighborhood disputes, burglaries, and traffic accidents; shoplifting calls, robberies, and traffic jams; drunks fighting, drivers under the influence, and underaged troublemakers; high-tech fraud, parking lot break-ins, and commuter problems. Not to mention the thousands of unlicensed drivers, impounded cars, rapes, robberies, and assorted felonies of the uninvited.
If we’re going to grin and bear it we’re going to have to lock the doors and lower our expectations. But then, if we don’t have enough cops now, at a time when our crime rate is low and the economy stable, we’re certainly going to have to skip some meals if things take a downturn. And don’t things always seem to do that?
But, can San Jose afford to increase spending? I don’t know. Cops are expensive here; quality recruits—young men and women smart and brave enough to become proficient in applying the law, confronting danger, handling evidence, dispensing support and advice, using firearms, self-defense, self-control, report writing, using data systems, high-speed driving, testifying in court—aren’t about to commit themselves to a life of rent-paying to risk their lives serving the needs and demands of people living in million-dollar homes. They too will want to own a home, drive a decent car, get their kids into a thug-free school. Quality recruits aren’t likely to worry about what Scott Herhold thinks about next year’s highest wages; they’ll most likely be influenced by the unique challenges confronting them and the knowledge that another quality young person, rookie Jeff Fontana, was making half that when he was murdered while protecting those folks living quite well down in the Almaden Valley.
Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury –
In the past, a generous pension was a benefit governments used to compensate for lower salaries compared to the private sector. Considering that government salaries and other benefits, such as days off, are now comparable to the rest of the employment market, pension programs that are much better than the market standard should no longer be required. Each year, fewer private sector employers offer guaranteed pensions comparable to those of government workers. Moreover, a pension providing 85% of salary already ranks among the most generous in the nation.
Mercer Human Resource Consulting prepared an actuarial valuation for San Jose should they choose to enhance the public safety personnel pensions to mirror the CalPERS 3%-per-year-at- age-50 model. Enhancing the pension benefit from an 85% maximum to 90% would cost $235 million for vested liabilities.
Finding I The San Jose and County overnments have negotiated generous pension programs that have an increasingly large negative impact on their budgets. These defined-benefit programs rely on future increases in the financial markets to pay pension benefits. The government is responsible for any shortages in fund performance.
Recommendation I-A
The San Jose and County governments should not further increase the defined-benefit pension
benefits of existing employees and, instead, work with unions to limit the costs of employee
pension programs.
Recommendation I-B
To reduce the financial risk, San Jose and County governments should explore changing to
defined-contribution pension programs for new employees, retirement programs that are
comparable to the private sector.
http://www.sccsuperiorcourt.org/jury/GJreports/2004/FinImpactRetirementPgmsSCCountyandSJCity.pdf
San Jose Police Contract
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/employeeRelations/pdf/moa_poa.pdf
San Jose Employee Benefits
http://www.sjretirement.com/Fed/Plan/Benefits.asp
SJ Employee Contracts
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/employeeServices/subsurvey.asp
Personally, I feel the SJ police do an excellent job, except in the area of ticketing car drivers with BOOM BOOM car stereos.
As soon as the first BOOM is felt/heard, in any part of the city, the police should swarm on the driver and shut it down. If that takes more officers it is well worth it, since it seems mostly lowlifes have BOOM BOOM car stereos. Plus this gives them a reason to search the car and its occupants, although that might be a bit Talibanish.
Yes, I am sick and tired of being assaulted in my own home by idiots the next street over playing their car stereo, or being assaulted at stoplights by a constant BOOM BOOM BOOM from these moron lowlifes. I have attended a few small business classes at Silicon Valley <a >SCORE</a> on Santa Clara Street, and was unable to concentrate because of the constant BOOM BOOM BOOM in the background. Enough is enough with these car stereos.
Also, just what does the police helicopter accomplish? I have yet to read in the paper a story where the police helicopter helped in any manner. Granted, just because it isn’t in the paper doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen, but, for as expensive as this thing is, I would expect some type of periodic positive publicity.
My personal suspicion is that since SJ has a helicopter and pilots, the police feel they need to use it in order to justify it. Since pilots like to fly irrespective of the reason, they probably jump at any chance to get in the air, whether their help is needed or not. In other words, I suspect that the majority of flights are unnecessary.
Let the county supply the helicopter(s), and pilots, for all cities to use, while each city pays a small percentage to cover the cost. That saves SJ money, and we still have a helicopter to fly around if there is a legitimate need.
Davis, like any bureaucrat, is probably asking for more than he really needs knowing that the Council will give him less than he is asking. That’s how the game is played.
Let’s look at it this way. If this blog community had to choose ONLY ONE THING they want this city to be known for, would it be:
* a 24 hour downtown
* a world-class downtown theater
* a fancy city hall
* a lower chance of being murdered
* a higher minimum wage
…what would we choose?
JMO’C is right on again. SJ should reform the civil service commission and ask how they can keep a policeman on the payroll after he was convicted of lying. This cop can’t touch anything that may go to court because his legal background would cause his testimony to be thrown out. He’s not the only rotten apple in the barrel the chief can do nothing about. Reed and the council should reform the civil service commission.
Retiring at 90% sounds pretty good to me. Try taking on the Police Union…
For grinning and bearing it, maybe public security should be more important than another Spanish language library or low cost housing. What percentage of the city budget goes to the cops? Could there be cuts in other departments to allow for more police? Or is raising taxes the only solution?
However, the problem could be solved if the police were not allowed downtown as some would like. A whole bunch of cops would be available for suburb duty and if someone was killed while downtown the killing wouldn’t need to be investigated. Just chock it up to fun downtown…
A moratorium on large scale building should be in effect until the safety issue is resolved—Evergreen, First Street, etc. Would it be conceivable for the developers to kick into a public safety fund, somewhat like what they contribute to Art in Public Places?
San Jose’s spends 66% on city employees and 34% on services
Police $ 256 million 26.7%
Fire $ 129 million 13.5%
Public Safety Total 40.2 %
Total budget $ 957 million
How does San Jose compare to other cities
Sunnyvale #2 city in SCC – Budget summary –
Public Safety Total – $62 million 30.2 % of total city budget
http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Departments/Finance/Budget/Adopted/FY0607+Adopted/VolumeI/home.htm
Choices are
1) More Police Officers with Very High pay, Benefits and Retirement and even Less City Services ( What City Council has chosen for decades )
2) More Police Officers with Very High pay, Benefits and Retirement and same Low City Services and City Tax Increase ( Can you afford more taxes? )
3) More Police Officers with reduced but still High Pay, Benefits and Retirement and same City Services
4) Less Police Officers with Very High Pay, Benefits and Retirement and same City Services ( Stay where we are ) but increase in Crime
Any other Options?
What Choice do you want?
San Jose Budget
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/budget/
Budget Brief for Police / Fire etc
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/budget/FY0607/ProposedBudgetInBrief.pdf
BlueFox #9 considers boom boxes the highest priority for our boys in blue. He wants police to “swarm” every loud offender.[“As soon as the first BOOM is felt/heard, in any part of the city, the police should swarm on the driver and shut it down.”] A swarm is at least several, last I heard, so Blue Fox wants multiple units to roll at every sound, abandoning all other tasks, it would seem. Do we shoot them, or merely taser them, Blue Fox?
Murders, rapes, armed robberies, gang violence, drive by shootings, firefights in downtown nightclubs… all take a back seat to Blue Fox’s sensitive ears.
And he gets to vote, just like the rest of us. Jeez!
I hope this was just a lame attempt at emulating John McE’s satire.
Mayor Reed and City Council should ask Chief Davis and Police Officers Association leaders to chose the best alternative from 2 Alternative Lists ?
1) List Alternatives – Current 26.7% of SJ Budget
2) List Alternatives – Current 26.7% of SJ Budget + Tax Increase
City Budget office should supply budget numbers for each alternative?
Chief Davis and Police Officers Association leadersshould decide how to manage spending their 26.7% percentage of city budget with or without tax increase
Chief and POA can work on selling tax increase to San Jose voters if they want more money
The SJPD copter is a much needed and often used resource.
It has been effective in following suspect vehicles so the cop cars don’t engage in high speed chases.
It has been very effective in finding suspects who flee on foot.
Its infrared cameras can spot someone hiding in the dark.
It has helped locate an incredible number of lost children.
It has spotted numerous hillside grass fires before they were reported to the fire department.
It is often first in the scene to high priority calls when life is in danger.
The copter is a effectively used resource that is needed in a large city.
#18
Can you please provide data to support your statements?
Of course, there is no reason why a Santa Clara County helicopter cannot do those things.
There certainly is a need to have the retirement system reviewed and possibly restructured. To retire at 90 % of $107,000 seems to be overly generous. The present retirement program cannot be rescinded of course but a system that offers 70 % or so
for future hires is more realistic. I believe that
the city of San Diego is going though a fiscal
crisis because of overly generous retirement
programs such as ours.
Given that there have been very few seal-the-borders voices heard here, I assumed the compassionate majority to be quite willing to pay whatever it costs to service the endless numbers of foreigners sneaking into our communities. I guess I was wrong. Seems that no one wants to supplement the budgets of police, fire services, courts, hospitals, paramedics, and prisons responsible for servicing these unaccounted millions.
The best information available is that one out of four of our state’s prisoners are illegal aliens. Are we not to assume that something approaching one-forth of our law enforcement budget is spent on this same group? Illegals are the main players in drug smuggling, meth production, and marijuana cultivation. What percentage of a city/county/state drug squad’s time is spent on them. Or the gang units? How about the fraud investigators that have to deal with the tens of thousands of identity thefts and forgery cases? What percentage of impounded cars, drunk drivers, and hit and runs are the work of illegal aliens? How many additional rapes, assaults, wife beatings, neglected children, kidnappings, and other serious crimes must the police investigate due to the presence of these uninvited millions?
Of course, the answers to these questions have been buried by the sensitive multiculturalists currently running and ruining our government. They are very selective about what we are allowed to know, because manufacturing public opinion is serious business. Oh, if you want to know how many black felons have complained about a cop’s attitude, that information is readily available from fourteen different government agencies plus the Mercury News. In fact, our own police chief spends considerable time and money keeping special track of such things. That kind of information is considered good for us; information necessary to maintain our communal guilt and keep the cash flowing to the professional parasites.
Twenty-five percent of our law enforcement budget? It just might be that high, but if not, it is certainly a huge expense. And, no doubt, the impact of illegals on our education and public health budgets is probably higher than it is on our prisons.
And lest we forget, it was the expansion of the prison population that allowed the state’s correctional officers’ union to grow strong enough to trade goodies with Gray Davis. I believe that it was there that the 90% retirement benefit was born, upping the benchmark for competitive agencies across the state. Stand up and take a bow if Davis was your man.
And now, after the fantasy bubble of the dot-com days has burst and the sky is no longer the limit, the bill comes due. Damn, this government stuff is expensive! Gee, why can’t we get bargain cops, like we do landscapers and housecleaners?
Still cheering ‘em on as they sneak across the border? Think cutting San Jose cops’ salaries and benefits is the answer? Then get ready for bottom of the barrel cops, because the cream of the crop will follow the money elsewhere (and since there is a correlation between low hiring standards and civil suits, I doubt the taxpayers will save a dime).
As it is, with good salaries and outstanding retirement benefits, local departments do not attract the big numbers of applicants of decades past. It seems the Boomers haven’t produced brave and adventurous young people in the same numbers that their parents’ generation did, adding scarcity—especially of coveted, protected class applicants—to the economic equation.
Cops are expensive. That is the starting point when addressing the challenge of hiring more, not a condition to be remedied.
#16
“Murders, rapes, armed robberies, gang violence, drive by shootings, firefights in downtown nightclubs”
What city do you live in? It certainly isn’t San Jose since these things do not happen on a daily basis, or even regular basis, in San Jose, but the individuals who commit these crimes more than likely drive around on a daily basis with their BOOM BOOM cars.
Stop worrying about lowlifes, and let the police use the tools that are available to them, while making the city a better place to live for all.
Check the Baker-Hamilton report.
BlueFox, please read Jack’s first sentence and tell me you stand by your posting of #21.
JMOC,
Can you supply any proof of the “Murders, rapes, armed robberies, gang violence, drive by shootings, firefights in downtown nightclubs… “?
I have been in the bar / nightclub business in this town for many years. I haven’t experienced these issues. Only place that had a problem like this was Ambassodores; and they are gone.
So I’d like to see your proof!
#22
That weekend was a statistical abnormality. There is a big difference between daily occurrences and aberrations.
How many murders happened this weekend?
frustrated finfan #20
I would disagree with your statement about Police recruits
” It seems the Boomers haven’t produced brave and adventurous young people in the same numbers that their parents’ generation did, adding scarcity—especially of coveted, protected class applicants—to the economic equation.”
We have many people who meet both your ” brave and adventurous young people ” and ” especially of coveted, protected class applicant ” since there are are a large number of Hispanic and others that are potential police officers
currently in military with combat experience more dangerous that San Jose
All military are currently paid less, have lower retirement benefits which does not start until age 65 not mid 50’s and have less health benefits that could be recruited to San Jose’s well respected Police Department
==============
There are 3 important budget issues that need to be solved in increasing Police staffing
1) Where will San Jose get the money to pay for Chief Davis proposal to prevent increase in police response times and crime from
a) new tax revenue from increase in slow overall city tax revenue delaying increase in police officers until we can afford them
b) shift more money from other underfunded city departments and further reduce our low level of city services which is not acceptable to residents
c) obtaining approval for new San Jose public safety tax
2) Control or decrease increase in police department expenses that are increasing faster than other departments and more importantly increasing faster than increase in city tax revenue
3) Biggest recruiting issue for new San Jose police officers is affordable local housing since our Police Department pay, benefits and retirement in total are above current combat experienced former or current military or
other jobs for level of education and experience
#18,
you forgot,
The SJPD copter is used to fly a fat man in a red suit in Mountain View on our dime.
# 17 has a great idea that Mayor Reed should tell Police Department to do
” Chief Davis and Police Officers Association leaders should decide how to manage spending their 26.7% percentage of city budget with or without tax increase “
Police Dept knows budget numbers, why police costs are increasing faster than other city departments, staffing / budget issues, what are trade offs, what has to be done and should come up with 2-4 alternative cost / staff solutions not just send more problems to less knowledgable City Council to solve
If there is not enough tax money to do what Police Dept thinks is necessary than PD should give public at least 2 police tax options at different staff levels to vote on
FF has the answer and the solution. It is the fault of illegal immigrants and rather than spend more money on police, just build a bigger wall. I expect if the money was spent to build a sheer wall 40 feet high and make sure it is also 40 feet or more underground (to prevent building tunnels) the problem would be solved. The police department would have more than enough money along with the fire department and the hospitals and the schools. Damn, I wish I was that smart. Blame the illegals, stop them from coming here and everything will be better. With that thought process, I see why you are frustrated.
Dexter,
None of those murders had anything to do with nightlife. Or am I missing something. Did the for murder take place in a bar?
Mr. Schwerin,
You wish you were smart; I wish your reading comprehension was better. In my first post on the subject, I shared some thoughts on the economic realities involved in expanding the police department, highlighting this city’s seemingly insatiable demand for more housing, nightlife, shopping centers, and corporations. In my second post, I pointed out the fact that the people (probably you) who welcome illegals into our community with open arms don’t seem quite as motivated to open their wallets and pick up the tab.
In the two posts I offered a number of facts and opinions available for questioning or debate, but you ignored every one choosing instead to hoist me up on a fictional wall and challenge my thought processes. How impressive! Is that how you were taught to argue?
I invite you to direct some of your own frustration at reality, the wetbacks on the ground, so to speak. Do you deny they consume significant police time and money? Do you bury your head in the sand immediately after making that denial? If you’d like to cure your ignorance, talk to the cops about their own frustrations with illegals, or to drug agents fighting the meth war; examine the Department of Corrections statistics, or the demographics in the LA Sheriff’s jail. Get some facts, throw in a dose of maturity, then maybe you’ll have something worthwhile to offer.
Post #26,
I certainly can’t argue that our soldiers are brave and adventurous young people, but their numbers are also significantly down (or haven’t you heard about the desperation-related lowering of standards?). But if you really think soldier = police officer, you’re living in your grandfather’s era. Law enforcement standards in intelligence, education, aptitude, character, self-reliance, etc., are significantly higher than those used by the military—for good reason.
frustrated finfan #30
Many of today’s highly qualified military are leaving due to frequent combat tours which lately is similar to urban policing duties requiring recent recruitment of some lower qualified enlisted
Compare officer, warrant officer or non commissioned officer pay, benefits, education, intelligence, aptitude, character, self-reliance, etc., to San Jose Police Department requirements before misrepresenting facts
San Jose Police Department working conditions and pay, health and retirement benefits are better than the same for many under 4 year military officers and under 6 year non commissioned officers are equal or better than many in law enforcement
1) Look at PD Minimum Requirements:
http://www.sjpd.org/Employment.cfm
Military Officers have 4 year college degrees with many advanced degrees while many Non Commissioned Officers have equal or higher education levels to SJPD plus military training
2) Look at military pay scales for Military Officers
http://www.army.com/money/payrates_officer_a06.html
Warrant and Enlisted Pay
http://www.army.com/money/payrates.html
add military benefits and lesser retirement at age 65 which is less than SJPD
Look at San Jose Police Contract
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/employeeRelations/pdf/moa_poa.pdf
add better benefits and higher retirement at mid 50’s
San Jose can attract many highly qualified 2-6 year former military officers and non commissioned officers
Many 4-10 year enlisted could also meet or exceed SJPD’s qualifications but not all just like many civilian applicants are not qualified
=============
frustrated finfan – you frequently use inaccurate information, misleading or unrepresentative examples as you did above by using recent lower enlisted recruitment standards
This indicates you frequently do not understand topics, have distorted logic or are willing to misrepresent facts in your frustrated attempt to win arguments with others
Post #31,
You seem convinced that I posted inaccurate information about police candidates, though you failed to make your case with your evidence.
What I stated, and will continue to state, is that what constitutes a well-qualified police applicant is substantially different from the qualities required by the military. This is not contradicted by the fact that many men and women meet the qualifications for both careers, as there are even more military veterans who would not qualify for a police career. The fact of the matter is that a great many prison guards are military veterans who failed in their efforts to get police jobs.
(Note: This may help you understand the concept of differing standards. Unless YOU happen to be a member of a protected class, you would be disqualified from a police career just based on your poor writing skills. Written communication is critically important in preparing reports, documenting evidence, preparing warrants, and addressing other legal issues. But don’t let that get you down. The level of your writing skills will not disqualify you from joining a rifle company.)
The idea that soldiers and cops are interchangeable parts is ridiculous. Many fine soldiers (as well as officers and non-coms) do not possess the aptitude or the interest in going out into the civilian community and dealing with its many challenging problems. The reality of the day in, day out drudgery of dealing with drunks, punks, and scumbags, all the while filling the role of society’s scapegoat, apparently leaves many otherwise qualified young people uninspired.
You are obviously unaware that much of the reform in American policing during the last forty years—reform built around extensive background screening and psychological testing—has centered on putting out into the community officers who were less militaristic in their attitude and behavior. Indeed, one of the complaints most commonly made about LAPD is the brusk, military-like rigidity of its officers (criticism easily leveled by those who don’t have to deal with that city’s savages).
As for the cop’s pay and benefits, they are the result of year’s of collective bargaining and have nothing in common with the compensation rate for a military that provides meals and housing and has no bargaining rights.
Should San Jose hire more police officers? Yes, yes, yes. Until we have the same ratio of police officers to population that we had in say 1965, we should be adding officers.
With more officers, we will have even less crime (read red light runners, and other non-violent crime). People do not break laws if they think they will be caught. More officers equals a greater chance of being caught.
With more officers, we could have true community policing. Officers would have time to hang out at schools, parks and get to know the communities they serve in. When I was going to high school in Palo Alto, I knew half the police force because they spent time out of their cars walking around, and getting to know the residents. When I moved back after college, the only officers I could find were in cars, and there were fewer cars than in earlier years. The same is true for San Jose.
More officers, Yes, Yes, Yes.
BlueFox and BarGuy missed my point.
BlueFox got his panties in a bunch about BoomBOX cars, and wanted scores of cops to descend upon these obnoxious noisemakers.
As obnoxious as they are, I’d say that’s a low priority for massive police response, as opposed to murders, rapes, etc., that take place in any city.
If cop rersources are low, buy some earplugs, BlueFox, and let the cops concentrate on real crime.
It is imprtant for everyone to remember, you get what you pay for. Yes police salaries and pensions can be cut, but is this a good idea? I think not when you factor in the caliber of officers the city would have to settle on hiring who would be attracted to sub par wages and a mediocre retirement in one of the most expensive cities in the country. A point that many are not aware of is that a large number of these San Jose Officers have lateral skills, second careers, and have been educated at some of the finest institutions in the country. Many San Jose Officers are not your traditional beat cop, and this is due to the appealing pension and competative salary.
As I read above comments, it appears that those attacking pensions and the current police contract envy police compensation. With that in mind, I say to those people, the San Jose Police Department is currently hiring.
Finfan: You make some good points with regards to military vs. SJPD salary. I didn’t have time to read ALL of your posts, but it seems that you are against hiring police officers out of junior enlisted ranks, which is a mistake.
While you’re correct in that the skill sets do differ somewhat, between military (junior E’s) and police officers, they are still basically similar. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to be a cop. Yes you have to be able to write decently and communicate with others well, but the training and values imparted on junior enlisted military members seems like it would be very helpful in being a cop.
Your post that I read discussed only recruiting officers. You said that SJPD should recruit 2-6 yr military officers…the problem with this is that most officers have at least a 4-5 year active duty obligation, after those 4-5 years those military officers are making more (total benefit package) than all except the most senior SJPD officers.
Yes we need more cops in San Jose!
Yes, we need more cops in SJ.
Yes, the pay and retirement seems insane, but consider this:
When the officer is disabled due to chronic knee problems, a broken back or gets stabbed in the line of duty, who is going to provide for their families? What is the family supposed to do if (God forbid) one of them is killed in the line of duty?
How much is putting your life on the line everyday in the course of your employment worth?
Mine was certainly worth more than the $1700/mo I was making as a Marine Corporal in 2003…
With the cost of housing in this area, the more cops we can get the better…if our overpaid cops have a hard time living here, how do you think the criminals afford to do it?
The quick answer is “they can’t”, and therefore we see increased drug trafficking, property crimes (burglary, theft) and crimes against persons (robbery, car-jacking).
It’s estimated that a typical heroin addiction costs $180,000/year to maintain. How many executives do you see with droopy eye lids, constricted pupils and track marks?
Oh yeah, and about the helicopter…
If the COUNTY has the helicopter, it would be responsible for ALL of the COUNTY, not just San Jose. The COUNTY is a big place, and I highly doubt the citizens of Palo Alto or Morgan Hill are going to allow San Jose to have unrestricted use of the helicopter THEY are paying for.
I’m sure if your little boy or girl was missing you’d want EVERY helicopter in the COUNTRY looking for them…I know I would.
Listen ladies and gentlemen!! Some of the people here have obviously grown up with mommy and daddy taking care of them and making sure that mommy and daddy give them their brand new car for their birthday. I bet that these people are even the people that complain when they see cops going fast down the street, and then turn and complain that the cop didn’t come to their call in time!!
Listen ladies and gentlemen, there is a reason why San Jose is one of the safest cities in the country!! The cops are the best qualified!!
To the dumb ass who wrote in the their that we should use a helicopter from the city, how do you expect for that copter to get to scenes on time if it’s 45-50 miles away looking for a missing child?
Just plain and simple….Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Military, etc. still do not get paid enough!! Everyday they come to work not knowing if they’ll return to be with their families!
SJ PO,
Whow, sounds like so much has happened to one officer in one career. You deserve a medal!
If it is so dangerous and we are supposed to care; you should just move on to something else. My impression of the cops in san jose is not very positive.
We are not a safe city, and the police are not very good to citizens in general.
At best the only safe areas of this city are at Starbucks. That is where all you great assets spend your time.
So go on a cry a river somewhere else. Your spot should be for a real cop!
PS I would love a muffin with my late
I must admit how bummed out I am when I read most of your comments! I am a police officer in San Jose and I put MY LIFE on the line EVERYDAY in order to make life safer for YOU! I think my pension is well deserved after having been shot at on multiple occasions and having multiple surgeries to fix my arms and legs after being broken by criminals trying to flee the situation. So, please do not tell me that I am overpaid and do not deserve my pension! I’ll tell you what; you come out here and get shot at once or have to shoot at another person – and then tell me how much my pension is undeserved. I am almost ashamed to work with some of you—- and may God help you if you ever need the police and there are not enough on staff to help you in your time of need.
Dear Joe Starbucks,
I read your comments and had a question. When you said you “would love a muffin with my late”, what exactly is a “late”? The correct spelling is “latte”. Your lack of spelling ability mirrors the ignorance of the rest of your comments. What axe do you have to grind with the police? From your comments you have had a lot of police interaction. Law abiding citizens generally have little contact with police. To everyone who says the police should not be payed as much, or don’t deserve good pensions, one thing in life holds true “you get what you pay for”. I have known several police officers over the years, and the wear and tear on their bodies and health is devestating to anyone putting in the full 30 years. To the bean counters who sit in their ivory towers, please leave the cops alone. It seems to be in fashion to dump on the SJPD cops by politicians and the media.
I predict SJ residents should be prepared for the future results of vastly lower the hiring standards of future police officers, as quality applicants will have no desire to work for the SJPD. Treat them with respect and pay them a decent wage and let them do their job.
SJ Resident
should th S.J.P.D. be enlarged, i think not i think the shohld be more armed and more protected.
Most of us go to work five days a week, and the most we risk our lives is driving on the freeway and a possible fatal car accident or walking across the street and getting hit by a car. Police officers, if they live to retirement, deserve it. The potential for death is ever present everyday. I have no problem paying an officer or any public servant, such as firefighters who risk their lives for us, a generous retirement or salary. San Jose PD, from what I have read, have stringent requirements for their new recruits, at least two years of college. I think, in the future they should require college degrees. There is no disadvantage to a police officer armed with an education, critical thinking skills and a calling to serve the community. Pay them the money.