How About Borrowing PO's

We seem to recall annual Christmas parties being thrown here and there over the holiday season. And we seem to recall most of the District and Unit personnel attend them. And we also seem to remember people being brought in from other Districts to help out.

So why the static on this fundraiser?

• Talking to a couple guys from 007 midnights, it sounds like they are about to be screwed again by their bosses. I guess the watch commander gave a speech last night saying how there are "a lot" of slips in for 13NOV (to be off the night of the 12th) so people could attend the benefit at the Horseshoe Casino for PO Alex Valadez. The W/C went on to say how this isn't a factory and that the CPD is open 24/7/365, so therefore, not everyone can be off.
  
  So let me get this straight: the guys who WORKED the watch with PO Valadez, many of whom saw him in his last moments, were: A) denied time off for his wake. B) denied time off for his funeral, and now, C) will be denied time off for his benefit. The first two (wake, funeral) have been verified. The watch had to work, go to the wake, go back to work, go to the funeral, then go back to work. NO courtesy was given to the officers. Now if denying people off for the benefit is true, Corky, LOOK OUT! This isn't a factory, true. Yes, it is a 24/7/365 operation. But, do factory workers watch their co-workers shot in the head in a ghetto and left to die? NO! I'm sure there are many PO's who would step in for a night and fill out the sheets so the members of the watch could attend the benefit. It happens for Christmas parties, why can't it happen twice (x-mas party, benefit) for these guys and gals because of awful circumstances? I know I would go to 007 and do it. I knew Alex, but the watch deserves first dibs.

It can be done. It's been done before for other watches and Districts and Units across the city for other reasons. Corky? You going to step up? Downtown? You want to show us you "have our backs?"