Fashion Police or Police Fashion? The Santa Barbara Independent
It’s Not Who Wears the Pants at the PD, but What Pants Are Worn
Covering one’s Butt’s By Loertta Redd PHD in her Column July 10th
Are any of you aware of these two recent articles (titles above) that deal with fashion issues within our Police department? Really this is what it has all come down too here in Santa Barbarawith our police, fashion? Not D.U.I. allegations of fraud by a highly decorated officer, or physical abuse by another or the constant illegal actions of a Superior Court Judge, fashion. I am just flabbergasted that with all the other areas of law enforcement that are currently being questioned, the POA feels the priority should be on fashion. So I was glad to find out through the 25 public comments after the Independent story, others are just as disappointed as me. The second story is a well written commentary to the whole Police fashion drama as it has been portrayed in the media. My main issue with our law enforcement (police, judges and d.a.’s) has been that it is their job is to uphold the law, not to abuse or take advantage of it through their positions! Once again I feel the City Council should be embarrassed, first with all the D.U.I. drama and now the pettiness between Chief Sanchez and the Police Union Association being fought publicly through the media.
Earlier this spring, the POA suggested that the city’s charter be amended to empower the city council to hire and fire the chief rather than the city administrator, of course this act would require voters approval. As I have mentioned time and time again some issues just never seem to go away, which is why I have such a large amount of material to reference here today. You see for the last three years the POA and I have both been vocal with our criticism of City Administrator Jim Armstrong. Below I share three links to previous articles; two are from April 09 that dealt with serious conduct and trust issues with Police Chief Cam Sanchez. This first article “Clouds gathering over Police Chief” is outstanding in it’s coverage of the issues with Cam Sanchez, his relationship with the Police Officers Association (P.O.A.), and how that relates to City Administrator James Armstrong.
I often reference “Clouds gathering” article because to date it contains the most factual crime data when it comes to Gangs here in Santa Barbara. In fact based on these numbers I cannot see how any one can claim a “Gang Injunction” is warranted in Santa Barbara. Sadly though I heard that recently a current sitting City Council member was reported to have said”the Gang Injunction is a done deal.” I wonder why they made that comment now when the exact opposite view was voiced during their campaign. The second (The Sanchez and Lance Show) and third (City Hires Ventura Investigators for Scoles Case) articles both deal with the City Administrator James Armstrong’s alleged hiring of the Sintra Group to investigate issues with the Peter Lance and Wayne Scoles arrest. Unfortunately three years have passed and James Armstrong has yet to make public the first Cam Sanchez investigation much less anything to due with Peter Lance.
I really feel that the older articles I have referenced here showing that show a history of unresolved issues between Chief Sanchez and the POA are just as important as the fashion excuse being used today. The public does not need me to always give my opinion on an issue or event. Some times all that is needed from me is to let you read the same material and data that I have including the ever-growing public comment section. So real quickly here this is what I have assembled for you and the order it follows. Now because I have included most of the public comments in this posting it is rather lengthy. I count on the fact that you are all much smarter than I, regardless I have faith after it’s all said and done our views and concerns are not as different as you might have first thought.
1- A small portion of the S.B. Independent “Clouds Gathering over Police Chief” article including the crime data and a link to the 25 public comments I did not include in this posting.
2- The entire SB Independent article including public comments to” The Sanchez and Lance Show.”
3- Again small portions of the S.B Independent article “City Hires an Investigator for the Scoles Case”, including all the public comments.
Now after you get through the past issues in those articles I close this posting with the current SB Independent story dealing with our “Police Fashion” including the entire public comments section. .Which is finally followed by the well written commentary on the current SBPD fashion issues by Loertta Redd PHD. I am always interested in how you feel about my efforts. If you find worth in them I ask that you please share them with as many people as possible. You can find my blog @
http://santabarbaracriminalcourtcorruption.blogspot.com/
S.B.C.C.C. The place where COMMON SENSE never goes out of style!
Thank You
Larry Mendoza
Here you go;
Clouds Gathering Over Police Chief
Budget Showdown, Mayoral Face-Off Confront Cam Sanchez
It’s a little premature to declare that the proverbial perfect storm is brewing over the head of Santa Barbara Police Chief Cam Sanchez, now entering his eighth year at the helm of the city police department. But the clouds definitely are gathering, and they show only few signs of blowing away.
Two months ago, for example, a Santa Barbarajury concluded it simply did not believe the chief of police when Sanchez accused Wayne Scoles, a burly, hot-tempered Mesaactivist, of calling him “a Mexican motherfucker” last June before Scoles allegedly threatened to “kick his [Sanchez’s] ass.” Scoles, who was arrested and prosecuted on misdemeanor charges, denied threatening the chief or making racist remarks; Sanchez was the key witness against him. As courtroom melodramas go, the Scoles hearing was inconsequential in the extreme. But for the chief, it clearly was an embarrassment.
Here is a link to the rather lengthy article in its original format@
http://www.independent.com/news/2009/apr/23/clouds-gathering-over-police-chief/#commenttoggle
Santa BarbaraCitywide Crime Stats
|
1985
|
1990
|
1995
|
2000
|
2005
|
2008
|
| HOMICIDE |
7
|
6
|
6
|
3
|
0
|
3
|
| RAPE |
24
|
26
|
33
|
38
|
34
|
26
|
| ROBBERY |
75
|
132
|
107
|
58
|
76
|
117
|
| AGGRAVATED ASSAULT* |
139
|
467
|
436
|
371
|
399
|
347
|
| AUTO THEFT |
225
|
350
|
247
|
122
|
207
|
114
|
| LARCENY/THEFT |
1,740
|
3,052
|
2,614
|
1,953
|
2,125
|
1,912
|
| ARSON |
19
|
8
|
18
|
14
|
43
|
32
|
Gang-Related Offenses
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
| MURDER |
0
|
0
|
2
|
| ATTEMPTED MURDER |
1
|
0
|
0
|
| ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON |
16
|
25
|
26
|
| BRANDISHING |
1
|
3
|
4
|
| ROBBERY |
5
|
3
|
6
|
| BURGLARY |
3
|
5
|
1
|
| VANDALISM |
30
|
37
|
37
|
| BATTERY |
5
|
12
|
13
|
| KNIFE IN PUBLIC |
3
|
7
|
8
|
| TOTAL GANG RELATED OFFENSES | 102 | 163 | 177 |
| TOTAL CITYWIDE NUMBER OF OFFENSES | 26,137 | 24,346 | 23,002 |
| PERCENTAGE OF CRIME GANG-RELATED | 00.39% | 00.70% | 00.77% |
Next
The Sanchez and Lance Show
Police Chief Called Out by Freelance Reporter
When Mayor Helene Schneider suggested that Police Chief Cam Sanchez (right) begin showing up at council meetings to answer questions swirling about the department, Peter Lance (left) took the opportunity to demand if and when Sanchez or City Hall would ever investigate his charge that he’d been framed by a “rogue cop” for driving under the influence.
City Attorney Steve Wiley announced that Sintra Group investigators had already looked into the matter and that a report will be issued to the council soon. While the meeting featured frequent verbal collisions between Lance and the mayor, Schneider and Sanchez both said it went well. Sanchez’s next council appearance, Schneider said, should take place next month.
Comments
Who is Sintra group? Are they local? Why are they especially trustworthy?
Lance is saying "C'mon man, what about it" and Sanchez is saying "I already told you, I don't want to discuss this".
Looks like Sintra Investigations is located inVenturaCounty. But, although it appears they are licensed, no Private Investigator License number(s) are identified as required on their advertising.
Mr. Lance do not hold your breath Sintra is where the City sends investigations to die.This is the second time that the City of Santa Barbara has hired the Sintra Group of Ventura to investigate law enforcement in Santa Barbara. The first time was nearly 3 years ago with the Wayne Scoles indecent. However we still have the same problem, will city administrator Jim Armstrong release the findings to us the public?To date I cannot find where the findings from the Cam Sanchez investigation caused by the Wayne scoles arrest have ever been made public. Even though public funds were used to obtain the investigation. I have requested via email the report from Jim Armstrong but he has never shown me the common courtesy of a reply. Mr. Armstrong may be reached @
JArmstrong@santabarbaraca.gov
City HiresVentura Investigators for Scoles Case
Mesa Resident Claims Police Chief Improperly Detained Him
Thursday, April 30, 2009
By Nick Welsh (Contact)
"Santa Barbara City Administrator Jim Armstrong has hired a Ventura-based private investigation firm to look into allegations that Santa Barbara Police Chief Cam Sanchez violated the civil rights of Mesa resident Wayne Scoles, whom the chief had arrested after a verbal altercation on the Mesa last June."
Finally
City HiresVenturaInvestigators for Scoles Case
Mesa Resident Claims Police Chief Improperly Detained Him
Santa Barbara City Administrator Jim Armstrong has hired a Ventura-based private investigation firm to look into allegations that Santa Barbara Police Chief Cam Sanchez violated the civil rights of Mesaresident Wayne Scoles, whom the chief had arrested after a verbal altercation on the Mesalast June. Below are the public comments that followed the story.
Comments
I'm pleased to read that the City Administrator is apparently taking this whole Scoles thing seriously. The pile of dogsh-t at the Chief's doorstep just keeps getting deeper.
I wonder if this will be a real investigation or a white-wash, and I wonder what will be found under the next rock to be turned over.
While there seems little doubt Sanchez conducted himself improperly in this case , Scoles is not without blame . I have witnessed Scoles in action and he definitely likes to bully and intimidate those with whom he has issues - a perfect storm .
I couldn't care less whether or not Scoles is a loud-mouth or a bully. He doesn't hold public office, Sanchez does. It is high time the City Administrator looks into Sanchez's conduct including not just this incident (and Sanchez's possible perjury at trial), but also his lamentable performance in office and his questionable financial dealings with the city.
Fashion Police or Police Fashion? The Santa Barbara Independent
By Nick Welsh (Contact)
It’s Not Who Wears the Pants at the PD, but What Pants Are Worn
Thursday, July 5, 2012
In a first-of-its-kind legal showdown over what kind of pants and bootsSanta Barbaramotorcycle cops should wear, the Police Officers Association (POA) has sued Chief Cam Sanchez, charging Sanchez exceeded his contractual authority when he ordered motorcycle officers to resume wearing traditional breech pants with knee-high boots as of July 1.
Last October, Sanchez had agreed to the union’s request that motorcycle officers be allowed to wear looser, straight-legged, Kevlar reinforced pants that have light-reflective piping, ample padding, and built-in body armor designed to better protect the knees and hips in the event of a fall. But this May, Sanchez changed his mind, arguing that the new pants which critics likened to snowboard pants did not adequately project the “command presence” he contends a police uniform is supposed to convey. The POA cried foul and sued.
By acting unilaterally, they objected, Sanchez failed to live up to the meet-and-confer requirements called for by the union contract. Sanchez countered that as chief, he wears the pants and has the authority to make such calls about police uniforms. But the POA responded, in court filings, that meet-and-confers are required when “safety equipment” not uniforms is involved. It falls to Judge Thomas Anderle to determine whether pants and boots constitute a fashion statement or safety gear.
Union leader Sgt. Mike McGrew argued the looser-fitting pants allow officers to wear boots offering greater ankle support. He claimed one officer involved in a motorcycle accident was back on the job much faster because of the protective knee armor offered by the new pants and another survived a fall without any abrasions. And studies, he said, show a significant reduction in permanent ailments caused by motorcycle accidents. McGrew noted that the traditional motorcycle-cop look dates back to 1873 with the formation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. “Right now, with the new pants, we look like Euro cops,” McGrew said, “instead of Dudley Do-Right.”
Otherwise, Mannix suggested officers could show up for work dressed like baseball catchers and could pull motorists over at routine traffic stops with their guns drawn. “But we don’t do that,” he said.
Assistant Chief Frank Mannix insisted that it’s too soon to say whether the new pants are factually safer. He also insisted that the department’s operating standard was “reasonably safe,” not the “most safe.” Otherwise, Mannix suggested officers could show up for work dressed like baseball catchers and could pull motorists over at routine traffic stops with their guns drawn. “But we don’t do that,” he said. Last week, it appeared Judge Anderle was prepared to side with the POA but deferred his ruling at the request of City Attorney Steve Wiley, who wanted to weigh in on behalf of Chief Sanchez.
Ironically, even if Anderle rules in favor of the union later this week, the POA has made it clear it has no intention of meeting and conferring with Sanchez. And contractually, it has no obligation to do so. Without any other issues on the table, the union has expressed concern it wouldn’t have any negotiating leverage. Should the union prevail in court, Sanchez will find himself in a Catch-22 scenario where he’s effectively barred from taking action no matter which approach he tries, at least until negotiations begin next year on a new contract.
The apparent pettiness of this dispute illustrates the depths to which relations between Chief Sanchez and the police union have sunk. Earlier this spring, the union went public with plans to amend the city’s charter to empower the city council to hire and fire the chief rather than the city administrator, who currently wields that authority. The union has been vocal in its criticism of City Administrator Jim Armstrong charging he’s cut the police force at the expense of public safety and nearly as critical of Sanchez for not bucking Armstrong’s budgetary restraint. The POA was forced to back off this campaign at least for the time being when it became clear there weren’t two councilmember’s, the minimum number required, willing to put the matter on the agenda for a council meeting, let alone vote for it.
Whatever the rank-and-file of the Police Department think about the latest dust-up over boots and pants is hard to determine. Only six full-time officers and another six part-timers will be immediately affected. McGrew acknowledged there’s some split among the ranks, stating that the officer who has most benefited by the new pants is against them. “But then, he thinks we should bring the bow tie back,” McGrew said.
Comments
Gee, the pants on the right just make him look sloppy. Like he weighs another 30lbs. I say get knee pads for the ones on the left. So I wonder how the tall angry a$$ SBcop that rides around on the motorcycle feels about this? The one who slammed his clipboard against my window to "get my attention".
This POS, I mean POA thing is getting out of hand. Now they are suing at any decision that their boss makes. Isn't the Police force supposed to behave a bit like the military when it comes to command structure? I mean they refer to us as civilians. Can you imagine some private in the army suing his general because he doesn't like the pants he is forced to wear?
Finally how much I all this petty squabbling going to cost me when city attorneys have to represent each party, and a judge has to hear the case while the rest of us are just waiting for a court date. This is absolutely ridiculous.
Follow directions and do your jobs cops. This isn't the X games.
From the pictures and discription on the site, these pants are not cut like a pair of BDU but the line-officers could "blouse" them over their duty boots be they are Military style or Motorcycle style but in the article, the pants do appear to be 'slouched' and do make the officer appear sloppy. At least if the pants were bloused, there would be a more professional appearance while keeping the with department safety standards.
But do we really want the "command presence" those tall boots evoke from history?
Personally, I am way, WAY more offended the cops ride Bimmer motorcycles instead of Harleys.
But who wears the pants never would be about a ploy to pry open something else to negotiate in the POA contract outside the usual schedule.
Well, I don't have a dog in this fight, but I'm old-fashioned. I like the "Mountie" look better.
I also agree with John_Adams - I think the POA has an agenda that goes beyond arguing for the right of six motor guys to wear "snowboarder" pants.
The old costumes were better.
Wow thank you everyone for your vane superficial opinions on how jack boots command respect. This isn’t about how LEOs look this is about how well protected they are when they are doing their jobs. This may be hard for some of you cagers (car driving folk) to wrap your head around but these guys don’t have a steel cage around them protecting them from inattentive drivers, high speed chases and other risks involved with being a motorcycle cop. When these guys low side and hit the asphalt (and THEY WILL HIT THE ASPHAULT at some point) they need to be armored up for it. They need abrasion resistance and impact protection. Your knees and ankles are usually the first parts of your body to hit the ground in a lowside and if that large BMW touring bike lands on your ankle, onloy covered by a pretty little jack boot, it could end up being a career ending incident. So give these guys the protection they deserve, get LEO motorcycle gear up with the times and start worrying about how these guys do their job not what kind of pants they wear as they do it.
When you ride a motorcycle it is not an issue of "if" but "when" you will go down.
Wearing the most protective clothing is operative when motorcycle riding. I had a relative that wiped out in a freak low speed accident, car cut him off, after he slid on the asphalt in leathers and helmet, his hair was just tufting out of the hole worn in the helmet, his leathers protected the rest of his body.
I vote Kevlar over Wool.
Speaking as a dual-sport rider ... if you can get knee/shin guards and hip pads under a baggier pant, you will get more protection.
Maybe the manufacturers ought to look into incorporating a little stretch material along with the ballistic material to minimize wrinkles & bagginess ... just like the newer (and pricier) hiking pants.
Welsh is right though, there does seem to be an element of petty politics behind this. Too bad.
just get ride of the bikes altogether.
sbs124, the link that you provided is very misleading. The last time I was inParis(about 5 years ago), I saw lots of police officers. They wore medium blue (not navy blue) uniforms which appeared to be cotton or cotton blend, like military BDUs. The shirts were open collar and most wore baseball style caps. They walked around in gangs of three or four and at least one of them always had a miltary style carbine automatic rifle. They all wore military style boots. The picture of a French police officer in the link must be a dress uniform of some type. I never saw that kepi hat anywhere inPariswhen I was there. While police uniforms are supposed to display authority and professionalism, the military look does this as well as the old fashion calvary look. I vote for safety first, style second.
Aren't a couple of these motorcyle cops under investigation by the sbpd? I wonder if that has anything to do with the this lawsuit.
Wow, only inSanta Barbaradoes style trump substance to such an insane point! I don't give a rat's behind what the officer looks like. Safety and functionality should be paramount. It's not a fashion show, people, it's public safety. What next, a requirement thatSanta Barbarapolice ride Spanish style motorcycles while wearing matador uniforms?? Pardon me, but what a load of bull!
Shove that "command presence" up your CamSanchez. You work for me. You're paid by my tax dollars to "protect and serve", not intimidate as a matter of training and practice, with uniforms designed to evoke fear. Reminds me of an old NWA song I live my life by. It rhymes with "tuck the folice".
The POA (police public employees labor union) always is about the money for them but amazingly keeps it making it personal with Chief Camerino Sanchez. Why they think this pissing match helps them get better pay and pensions is absolutely flabbergasting and such lame political theater. They are looking quite silly in a distant attempt or hope for the city administration to offer up something else as an enticement to keep the traditional pants and boots.
Hey, I think Blackpoodles has a great idea there. Charro customes and jingley, jangley things hanging off the motorcycles would go great with theSanta Barbarared tiled roofs. Maybe they can learn a few Spanish dance numbers too, and entertain the tourists for money down onState St.instead of giving tickets.
Bells on their toes.
Wow. Now that post 9/11 conservative sympathies have waned and we would want to roll back compensation, benefits and collective bargaining rights, can't we at least agree that the PD at least deserves the best and latest safety gear possible.
This whipped up self-serving emotional roller coaster, 'love'm when we're down, kick'em when they're down' conservative and irrational ideology needs to be checked.
Covering one’s Butt’s @
By Loertta Redd PHD in her Column July 10th 2012
The dust-up between Mike McGrew of the Santa Barbara Police Officers Association and Chief Cam Sanchez over what motorcycle pants should be worn reminds me of a petulant child stomping his foot at having to don his Sunday best for church service.
CHP Pants
Giving the term, “fashion police” a whole new meaning, I researched not only styles and materials covering the bottoms of our sworn officers, but also the origin of the term: too big for your britches.
Historically speaking, it was Davy Crockett who wrote An Account of Col. Crockett’s Tour to the North and Down East in 1835: “I myself was one of the first to fire a gun under Andrew Jackson. I helped give him all his glory. I liked him well once: but when a man gets too big for his breeches, I say Good bye.”
If only we all could “say Good bye” to the exaggerated sense of importance that the POA seems to have acquired recently, the city would certainly benefit. I never thought we would have to create an anti-bullying campaign to protect our police Chief from own officers’ union, but that’s what it sounds like.
Snowboard Pants
The most recent example of POA versus management comes in a material form; literally. There was a time when the city motorcycle police wore wool pants; then they began wearing looser, “snowboarder” type britches with shorter ankle boots rather than the tall riding boots of old.
I won’t belabor that neither alternative look particularly good on overweight officers, but I will point out that the California Highway Patrol– the most revered motorcycle enforcement team around– so appreciates its 100% wool or wool/poly tighter breech pants, that it is illegal to try and mimic their uniform.
And we can’t forget the 1898 hero of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry, Teddy Roosevelt, and his band of Rough Riders. This motley collection of native Americans, college athletes, cowboys and ranchers didn’t seem to have a problem takingSan Juan Hilldressed in Mounties-style britches and tall boots.
Whereas POA union leader McGrew contests that the “armor” afforded by the new, baggy padded pants offers more protection from accidents, no one seems concerned for those poor suckers on bicycle patrol. I’ll bet their bike shorts don’t cost $150 or more. And what about the rest of the patrol force, riding in those hot, stuffy patrol cars?
Maybe we could commission a new uniform consisting of Hawaiian shirts and board shorts, with a smart reflective stripe down the side. Come to think of it, our cops might catch even more of the local criminals if they blended in.
I’ve got a better way to keep the POA’s tushes safe and their ankles strong… get off of your fancy motorcycles and start walking a beat for a change. I mean, really, what can a motorcycle do that can’t be done either by car or bicycle?
The real issue, it seems, is not so much what McGrew and the POA gets to wear on the fashion runway, as it is their beef with the Chief.
You don’t like your boss, boys? Well, work it out like they do in every other business, or leave the force. You want new uniforms? Learn to dance “cheek to cheek” and resolve it like adults. But enough with the “Waa Waa Waa” and “We’re gonna sue you” childishness. Chief Cam Sanchez is the one who sits in front of the Council and the City Administrator and tells them that crime is down because of your efforts, defends your staffing positions, and tries to inspire the citizens of this City to believe that you have their interests at heart, before your own.
You do, don’t you?
Finally The End!!!!
S.B.C.C.C. The place where COMMON SENSE never goes out of style!
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