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09-12-2008, 11:33 PM #11
Re: High Risk Retirement
Originally Posted by Guest
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09-14-2008, 07:39 AM #12
Re: High Risk Retirement
Originally Posted by PCSO CSI
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09-14-2008, 06:33 PM #13
Re: High Risk Retirement
Originally Posted by Guest
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09-15-2008, 07:38 PM #14
Re: High Risk Retirement
I have been a certified LEO a lot of years, most of them as a detective. I absolutely agree that the CSI and Forensic Investigators deserve high risk retirement. Some newby officers and deputies think the only threat out there is the bad guy with a gun. They'll learn, in time, that there are other risks, such as bloodbourne pathogens, chemical and biological agents, infected cuts, needles, etc. This is one reason the paramedic/EMT's get high-risk. There is also the psychological effect of pulling prints off a dead infant, close-up photography of the fatal injuries to a child, etc.
I know I and my fellow detectives are always glad to have the FI's arrive to take care of the dirty, potentially dangerous scenes. They handle the stuff the rest of us don't want to, and aren't trained to. They are specialists. They deserve the pay.
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09-16-2008, 02:45 PM #15
Re: High Risk Retirement
the crime scene techs earn the high risk. they work in contaminated and dangerous environments.
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09-16-2008, 11:00 PM #16
Re: High Risk Retirement
Originally Posted by Guest
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09-25-2008, 12:19 AM #17
- Join Date
- Apr 2008
- Location
- South Florida
- Posts
- 3
Re: High Risk Retirement
Wow, someone has some real strong negative feelings for crime scene techs. To add and reiterate what has already been said...most crime scene tech's are non-sworn, UNARMED, not trained with any defense tactics, and not issued bullet proof vests. We are OFTEN left alone on all types of crime scenes were suspects have and do return. Lets see, most crime scenes are not in all upscale communities. Our backs are usually to the world, so we can't see what could be sneaking up behind us. Our only weapon is the radio and we know those aren't always reliable. Sure, we are not the first responders who go into the hot scenes, but we face hidden dangers.
Most of the chemicals we use are cancer causing or may cause some form of illness. No, studies may not show how many CSI's have died as a result, but maybe that is because these illnesses could be seemingly normal - not proving that the illness was due to one of the chemicals we use. Maybe no one has really done a study other than to test the chemicals to say they do cause terminal illnesses. Does the average officer who might have to process for fingerprints use masks? Well better think about it, because black powder might be cancer-causing.
We wear a uniform, an equipment belt, and often drive in a vehicle marked 'police.' You think the bad guy takes the time to notice we are not a cop, do not have a gun, etc? I can't tell you how many times I've been mistaked for a sworn police officer (and yes I do correct them).
We're not the first responder, but it doesn't mean we don't get flagged down, or pull up on something in progress that we don't know what's up. Not the first responder typically, but it could happen just by nature of being in the wrong (or right) place at the right time.
We too suffer when cops are killed in the line of duty. They are OUR FAMILY TOO! Just because we don't carry a gun, doesn't mean we don't bleed blue! Maybe there are a # of CSI's who have been killed in the line of duty, and we just don't hear about it.
TB, HIV, Hepatitis, MRSA - we are exposed too! Needle sticks - happens to us too! Our exposures to things is often for a longer period of time. Hours at the Medical Examiner's Office or at a crime scene (decomp, fire, drug house, house of filth, you name it - we come across it, and probably more often than the officer who works the same area. We usually work the entire jurisdiction).
Lets not forget the fact that while we are not the one's "making the arrest" but we are the ones who likely collected the fingerprint, the DNA or anything else that likely is THE REASON a murderer is put to death (or sentenced to life). We are not afforded those little benefits cops get!
If you were in our shoes, you'd feel the same way too! Yes our jobs are important, but they too are dangerous. Just not in the same dangerous way as the first responding cop or firefighter.
I have heard that there was some things changing for FRS, but I am not under the State retirement system so I don't have the answers. Check with MDPD, BSO or PBSO - probably the labs might have more info.
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10-08-2008, 02:37 PM #18
Re: High Risk Retirement
Well said.....here here.....
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12-11-2008, 05:31 AM #19
Re: High Risk Retirement
Here's the real deal about Special Risk for Crime Scene Techs in Florida.
Several years ago, a joke of an organization called "Florida Association of Forensic Professionals" was formed. While it appeared to be a typical professional organization to outside observers, it really only existed for one reason: get Special Risk status for CSI's. The FAOFP set about recruiting CSI's from all over Florida to join and pay dues. But the dues weren't making enough money, so they encouraged their members to hold fundraisers of all kinds. Rummage sales, Bake sales, Cookbook sales, Auctions. You name it. During 2004-2005, Forensics units all over Florida held fundraisers. Hell, if you go to their website today, you can order a freakin' cookbook. You sure won't find any useful forensic science information on the website.
What did the FAOFP do with all this money, you ask? THEY HIRED A LOBBYIST! This guy (who's name is Ron Book, Google him) happily took their money and did what lobbyists do with money. He bought influence with legislators. He probably wrote the exact wording of the legislation, handed it to a State Senator he had bought off and....voila! Legislation is passed, and CSI's have Special Risk membership. It has nothing to do with their work, whether they deserve Special Risk or not. It happened because of one thing: MONEY. Did you buy anything at a at a forensics fundraiser sometime around 2004-2005? If so, then your money went straight to their lobbyist.
At this point in the story, you would think the FAOFP would lean back and pat themselves on the back for a job well done, right? Oh no. Their greed knows no bounds. They decided that Special Risk wasn't enough. They needed retroactive Special Risk, back to the date of hire. By now, you all know how this works. Fire up the fund raising machine, pay the lobbyist, buy the legislator. But, the budget climate during the 2008 Legislative session was a lot tighter than 2005. The lobbyist couldn't just get his version of the retroactive bill pushed through. Political horses were traded, and when the dust settled, retroactive was enacted... but the legislature made sure the criteria was changed to remove some types of forensic employees from Special Risk status. Oh well, collateral damage. The FAOFP got theirs, that's all that matters.
So don't just take these high minded justifications about why they got Special Risk at face value. No lawmakers sat around and said "Those CSI's do dangerous stuff, let's reward them like we do certified cops." They decided what they wanted, and then they spent the money to make it happen. Simple as that.
Oh yeah, it didn't hurt to have the number one TV show in America at the time convincing everybody that your job is more important and difficult than it really is.
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12-12-2008, 12:50 AM #20
Re: High Risk Retirement
I can tell you have never walked in the shoes of a Crime Scene Technician...But wow what a knowledge in another field..
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