enlightening?

OK...heres some fod for thought....

Looking at the new style of this message board, we at the SSO have more topics and more posts than any other agency listed, even more than St. Pete (which up to now appears to have the lowest morale of all). Is it that we have more problems than other departments? Or are we just more whiney???....gossipy????? And don't say its a bad admin, because if you want to work in he11, check out the issues at St. Pete....

I know there are those who defend this board saying it is the only way to get concerns aired with no repraisal......and I agree with you. BUT......is it REALLY that bad here????

PS...and BTW, I'm not a staffer, just a road guy who is a little embarassed at how we appear to those who read these boards.....not that I care what those outside this department think, but it becomes an issue down the line when we ask the commissioners to beef up our contract....

Have a great day and be safe!!!

[SSOber]

Its not that its so bad at the SSO, its that there is no way to move in the agency unless you are an FOB. Those of us that work in corrections and are dual certified are never going to get out on the road unless we go to another agency. Many of us were lied to; we were told that we would do 2 years in corrections and then be able to transfer to the road. Many agencies do this. But not he SSO! Then they wonder and scratch thier heads as to why we are down so many people.

O.K. so what would I do? I would dual certify all Deputies. All new hires would be requiered to do 2 years in the jail, then given the option to go on the road. If you fail FTO you would go back to the jail for another 2 years. All Deputies would be paid the same.

:wink:

Its not that its so bad at the SSO, its that there is no way to move in the agency unless you are an FOB. Your user-name made me chuckle. :lol:

Most of us like the SSO. However, it's human nature to squabble, argue and complain. For the longest time, the SSO had the highest educational requirements (college) -- maybe this board reflects that? :shock:

[Milwaukee Sam]

I'm finding it a struggle each day just to stay in the closet.

[x8]

I'm finding it a struggle each day just to stay in the closet.ROFLMBO :lol:

Relax and have faith. There are many of us on the road and CIB and staff that came from the jail , Do your time and have faith. Itll happen and youll be that much more humble. Take a deep breath. I only did two years in there and many others. So hang in there. There is a light at the end of that tunnel.

[civilian]

I think everyone should step back and be thankful there is this forum. It is the opportunity for the hard working individuals to vent publically. If the public has no idea what is going on, nothing will ever get fixed. I do not see it as whinning. I see it as adults venting the issues and discussing the issues. Maybe if the SSO had a townhall process in place where officers could speak openly without backlash, this board would not be needed. This agency has gone to hell in a handbasket but the officers within it everyday do their best to serve the public with excellence. We are very lucky to have such strong professionals that can continue to do the great work even when the agency is against them. Good work women and men, the public appreciates everything you do to protect and serve us.

I think everyone should step back and be thankful there is this forum. It is the opportunity for the hard working individuals to vent publically. If the public has no idea what is going on, nothing will ever get fixed. I do not see it as whinning. I see it as adults venting the issues and discussing the issues. Maybe if the SSO had a townhall process in place where officers could speak openly without backlash, this board would not be needed. This agency has gone to hell in a handbasket but the officers within it everyday do their best to serve the public with excellence. We are very lucky to have such strong professionals that can continue to do the great work even when the agency is against them. Good work women and men, the public appreciates everything you do to protect and serve us.If the complaining negatively affects you, then it's called "whining."

If the complaining doesn't affect you, then it's a legitimate complaint.

It's all about perception.

Do you honestly think it was any different under Monge or Harcastle? I was here for both and the only thing that changes is the initials FOJ, FOG,FOB. its all the same .Every Sheriff changes something that people dont like. Hardcastle would fire you if he didnt like you, Monge brought in idiots from FDLE who ended up getting fired and he took away Longevity he did bring in career service but is that process fair to the employee? Some would say yes some would say no. Balkwill raised salaries but made some bone head promotions. So pick your battles wisely and then put up a good fight. Go for the things that are important now that there is a union like medical ins. upon retirement. I doubt I'll see it but for you that are just starting your careers it is something to think about. It could be a lot worse. And if you really cant stand it here try and change it or go some where else. I vote for changing it but do it the right way. just remember the gaurd will change in a little over two years. Look whats out there and make your choice.

Do you honestly think it was any different under Monge or Harcastle? I was here for both and the only thing that changes is the initials FOJ, FOG,FOB. its all the same .Every Sheriff changes something that people dont like. Hardcastle would fire you if he didnt like you, Monge brought in idiots from FDLE who ended up getting fired and he took away Longevity he did bring in career service but is that process fair to the employee? Some would say yes some would say no. Balkwill raised salaries but made some bone head promotions. So pick your battles wisely and then put up a good fight. Go for the things that are important now that there is a union like medical ins. upon retirement. I doubt I'll see it but for you that are just starting your careers it is something to think about. It could be a lot worse. And if you really cant stand it here try and change it or go some where else. I vote for changing it but do it the right way. just remember the gaurd will change in a little over two years. Look whats out there and make your choice.You hit the nail on the head and you're 100% accurate.

When we compare our agency to surrounding agencies, we have it really good here. :shock:

I was here under Monge & Hardcastle also. Hardly anyone knew who their buddies were .... may have had suspicions but they did not openly show the favortism and they weren't afraid to say "no" to anyone. BB wants everyone to like him and ends up making most mad. Take a look at the ones that he's allowed to return following retirement.... they didn't do that great of a job the first time around & now they're back taking away opportunities from others. Too many unqualified FOB's in positions they shouldn't be in. Just because someone is a cop does not make them a good administrator.

"RE: When we compare our agency to surrounding agencies, we have it really good here. "

That's right - if it's so bad at the SSO, maybe whiners should head south to Ft. Myers (they don't have a forum on this board, so you don't know what actually happens there). But, if FL is the colon of the US, you'll find more ___ the further south you go.

(http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readartic ... 057&z=3&p= (http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=7057&z=3&p=))

In today's news..
1) Lee deputy w/24 yrs. in arrested and fired on child porn charges (6 counts) - a month earlier a 25 yr. vet of Collier SO was arrested on 69 counts of child porn & jailed in Lee Cty.;
2) Priest arrested in prostitution sting;
3) HS FL league record ruined because football and soccer players are really 23 & 30 y.o. with fake IDs to be HS students;
4) Dad arrested (and charged w/160 federal counts) for videotaping himself having sex with his son and other children;
5) Boys 12 & 15 arrested and charged with sexual assault on 7 year old boy - SO says 1/2 the sex crimes in the county are committed by children;
6) Sixth grader performs self-mutilation in school;
7) Mosquito control employee making $146k a year will retire, then come back after 30 days (legal under FL law) and earn $200k a year (doesn't the US President earn that amount?);
8) Sheriff buys a new chopper (with the same $$ he could have bought 35 patrol cars; 53 unmarked cars; 1,650 pcs. of body armor; completely outfitted 304 deputies) and says the cost is justified because with the latest gadgets it will "replace 10-12 deputies on the ground".;
9) In NBC's Dateline: To Catch a Predator aired on Wed. night, 25 pedophiles were arrested coming to a Ft. Myers house to have sex with a child (so they thought) - the show was only able to have 25 arrested, but had 200 lined up in online chats, so they're coming back to Ft. Myers for the next show because there are so many pedophiles in the area.

See, the grass is always browner elsewhere..