PAX Centurion - Summer 2014

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • Summer 2014 • Page 13 attempt to change release/vacation rules - regs kids might arise that are not foreseeable. An employee would have to use accrued sick time or personal days, but the use of SNLA time would not be held against an employee as a “regular” use of sick time as per existing rules and regs. The “new SNLA form” (see sample) was both obnoxious and obtrusive. It now required information such as “Name of the person you are seeing,” “time of appointment,” “reason for appointment.” In a few short and polite words, “None of your f…ing business!” My Mother or Father’s medical issues, Uncle Frank’s need for personal assistance at home, or my son or daughter’s school issues are none of the BPD’s business. An attack at normal vacation time (ten days/two weeks of five days is considered normal, or always has been….) was also made by unknown bureaucrats. According to another unilaterally-issued order (not bargained, not discussed, etc., etc.) the policy (due to extreme short-staffing of the patrol force) would henceforth be that, regardless of your squad’s schedule, vacations would begin on a Saturday at 8AM and end two weeks hence at 8AM. As we all know, many squad’s schedules overlap and result in of- ficers having only eight or nine days of actual vacation time. It is not the fault of the BPPA or any individual officer that the regular patrol force is severely short- staffed. When one rents a vacation home or plans time away with their family during the summer, it should be for a full ten days, not some bureaucratic nitwit’s inter- pretation of what constitutes our vacation. (Rest assured, said bureaucrats are getting their full complement of vacation time, and undoubtedly, with the use of an unmarked city ve- hicle. I’ve seen them passing by me on the way to LakeWinnipesau- kee and Cape Cod…wink-wink, nod-nod…we’re not all stupid….) But Commissioner Evans, once notified by the BPPA leadership, halted unilateral changes to long-standing practices and ordered a review. It is indeed refreshing to see and know that Commissioner Evans and Superintendent Gross have respect for the patrol force and labor agreements. Having come from the patrol force, they seem to recognize that patrol officers are not chattel, but valued resources, who deserve personal time with their families. We are both thankful and hopeful that this form of labor relations will continue. Enjoy your summer vacations with your family.