Raindogblue

Radio

 

Tonight, after Nights rolled out,

the radios went down.

 

Successful transmissions were sporadic.

The back up system was worse.

 

We were ordered to garrison

at the precincts and substations

and only took priority calls

with plenty of cover. 

 

 

 

 

Boots

 

I've been overdue for boots since late last Spring.  I finally took the time to pick up new Danners: Recons. They're all I've ever worn at work. The boots are expensive, but it is money well spent for the protection. I think this is pair number six.

 

 

Upgrading

 

After twenty-four years, I broke down

and now have two bottles of Febreze at work.

One is kept is my locker for my vest.

The second is my garage cubby with my gear.

I spray out the prowler and it's cage.

twice a week. It's a better way to work.

 

 

 

Removed from Service

 

While on vacation, Fleet Services retired my two favorite cars.

Both were 2010 Crown Vics, in the old, all white color scheme.

 

 

 

 

 

Changing Times

 

Per Training, 85% of Patrol has opted for the outer vests, paying for the upgrade out of their own pockets.

 

 

 

 

 

Taser: Firmware

 

 

At Inservice, the department replaced

our batteries and the firmware. Now,

if the trigger is depressed, the weapon

will cycle for a maximum of 5 seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

36

 

The department only has 36

Crown Vics left. The remaining

cars will be replaced in a year.

 

 

 

 

06/13/17

 

1.

My old gas mask was tested to make sure it still seals.

 

2.

I fit test the new gas model.  It looks like as it's out of Fall Out.

It's more comfortable to wear than the current mask.

 

3.

There's no issue date for the new masks.

 

4.

Gru is from Romania. He told me he makes as much

in one over time here as he would in month over there.

 

5.

My new vest doesn't fit. It needs to be recut.

 

6.

For the first time, I took my IPad to traffic court and used the Google Maps Street View app to argue my case.

 

7.

The judge told me traffic citations in the county are at an all time low. This includes citations written by traffic officers.

 

8.

With my new department cell phone, I can submit my court overtime slips on-line.

 

9.

Yesterday's pinch doused himself with butane and threaten to light himself on fire. An hour later,  I was called out to deal with him. I found him looking to fight. En route to jail he tried to choke out using the strap of the seat belt.

 

10.

At jail, he tried to drown in the ISO room's toilet. When jail shut off the water, he stripped naked and tried to hang himself with his jeans.

 

11.

The department is transitioning away from latex gloves to nitrile gloves to prevent exposure from fentanyl.

 

 

 

 

05/15/17 in Two Notes

One.

Today, while we were at roll call, the city flashed our radios to digital.

Now, unless the user selects mute, the radio announces the channel each time the radio is turn on or the channel is changed.

The radio now will chirp, when you press the MIC to let you know when the channel is clear.  

If the radio cannot find a signal, it will beep until the signal is regained.

 

Two.

At roll call, the county told us it gives away three million free hypodermic needles to drug users every year.

 

 

 

 

 

The End of the Vics

 

To replace the Caprice Classics, the department started using Crown Vics in 1996.  They were a poor substitute. Over the years, Ford improved the car. By 2009, the Vic Interceptor was a good car. The cage was small, but the push bumper anchored to the chassis. 

Since Ford discontinued the car, departments have struggled to find a solid prowler. The department tried Chargers and Impalas. Neither worked. They bought into the Explorer SUV.  The cage is roomy. There is more space for gear.

I have been holding out, driving the last of the white Vics. 

Today, there were none.

Over the last year, I could count on taking an old car, cleaning it out on Monday, and be be the sole driver for the week.

One by one, the whiteys have been swapped out for SUVs. There is on left in the First Ave barn. There's a blue '11 and a single Impala. The rest are SUVs. 

I drove one tonight. The seat is too small. The MDT was buggy. 

I'm hoping for Vic to end the week.