My name is Andy Miller, and I am the president of the North Carolina Sheriff Police Alliance, A new organization for the next generation of law enforcement officers. We are not aligned with any other organization. As the former State President of the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association, I traveled the state and talked to law enforcement officers. The message that I kept getting was that they wanted something different. Most of them had been members in the existing organizations, but were sadly disappointed in them.
President's Monthly Message
President’s Message
Jun
05
2009
Risking Our Lives While They Empty Our Pockets
I am making all of our members aware of an issue that has surfaced that may negatively impact each sworn officer in this state. For the upcoming budget the House of Representatives has proposed a licensing fee for sworn law enforcement officers. The proposal calls for charging each officer who applies for certification a $100.00 fee. If you have never been assessed a fee before it will be $250.00. That means every time you change jobs you will be billed $100.00. They will not certify you until you pay. If that isn’t bad enough they have proposed a yearly fee of $100.00 for every officer who has completed in-service training for the year. Remember they are the ones who require in-service training. So they require you to have a certain amount of training each year and then charge you $100.00. Of course if you don’t pay you know they are going to decertify you.
The North Carolina Sheriff Police Alliance is taking a stance against this proposal. We are against any fee that is assessed based on training required to keep your certification. This is just a tax to pay to keep your job. It is no different than the old poll tax that was used to keep disenfranchise certain groups. It is deplorable that the elected officials of this great state would want to unfairly tax the very individuals that every day put their lives on the line for the citizens of this state. What is next? A combat certification fee for our N. C. soldiers fighting in Iraq! When will this madness stop?
The N. C. Sheriff Police Alliance has put in a call to Governor Purdue to meet with us on this urgent issue. We plan on taking this issue to the citizens for a resolution. Law enforcement officers sacrifice every day in service of their community. They miss nights, weekends, holidays, and birthdays with their families to protect strangers. They are willing do this and ask far less in return than lawyers or doctors. Yet when most officers in this state are not getting raises the House of Representatives want to put their hands in our pockets. We are asking you and your families to contact your local representatives to let them know what you think about this proposed fee. Rest assured the N.C. Sheriff Police Alliance is not going to let this go by without a fight. We are your representatives and we are going to fight for you!
Andy Miller, President
N. C. Sheriff Police Alliance
866 736-2772 x1
andy@ncpolice.org
Secretary's Monthly Message
Secretary’s Message
Mar
23
2009
Budget Cuts for Law Enforcement
Times are hard and have been very trying for many in the recent months. Through it all we must look to the future and learn from the past. There is activity on poor financial investments, layoffs and reduction in salaries. Our job as an Alliance is to see that these issues are placed on the front burner to prevent collateral damage to law enforcement. We have to be the watchdog, to be ready to sound the alarm if things look as though decisions being made are not in the best interest of law enforcement and for the safety of the citizens. Law enforcement positions and resources should never be on the table for cuts. Cutting law enforcement budgets play into the hands of those who will use someone else’s life, limb and property to benefit their way of life. The citizens and the law enforcement officers first line of defense depends on how committed city and counties are to the safety of the citizens they represent.
Unfortunately in many cases non law enforcement administrators believe they can manage law enforcement entities with very little to no knowledge of the law enforcement profession. Cities and counties like to work off projections, the same way many failing businesses do these days. A projection you can count on is un-employment goes up as well as crime in hard times. Crime does not take a break as law enforcement budgets are stripped. All around the country, governments are showing their willingness to risk life, limb and property because they want to treat all departments within the government the same. The idea is that you can’t treat a set of employees different than the other. Well, too late on that thought. Law enforcement is required to work in hazardous conditions such as tornados, hurricanes and chemical spills. They are expected to run in and out of gunfire if the situation calls for it, begin CPR as a first responder on scene and pull victims from a wrecked vehicle so they don’t burn or get run over by a motorist who has no clue what’s in front of them. They are required to work holidays and night shifts with no differential pay. All of their actions are then scrutinized for violations of policy and then state and federal laws. One complaint can destroy a career in the press even when it is proven to be false. How about the legal fees that are paid by an officer who had to hire an attorney because of a malicious or frivolous complaint by a defendant or suspect they arrested for violation of a law? Ask yourself again Mr. County and City Government if we treat a segment of employees different. You bet your bottom dollar they do! Don’t let county or city governments tell you they don’t want to treat any employee different.
