|
|
|
|
|
 |
Dear Mayor Newsom,
First, let me just say that I think you’re great. I’ve always liked your attitude, and how you handle yourself under pressure.
Second, there is a lot of complaining these days about the SFPD budget, and funding more police. Did you know that the SFPD, and 90% of police departments in California, have police officers who are unpaid, who volunteer their time to their city? They are FULLY TRAINED, and have the SAME POWERS, and LOOK THE SAME as the full-time officers. They are citizens, like myself, with good backgrounds and an interest in civic duty. Often they’re business owners who really care about what happens on these streets.
Best of all: Think of the return on investment. The SFPD Police Reserves are not paid, and volunteer at a minimum 20hrs/month each doing regular police work. This is free labor for the city, and I think you should push SFPD to increase their Reserve program from 50 officers, to their max allotment of 150.
Most importantly, the easiest way to do this is for SFPD to start holding Reserve Academies again at the SFPD academy. Many San Franciscans would sign up! As it stands now, to become a reserve I need to take plenty of time off work from my business, and go for 8 weeks to Martinez (!) to get certified.
For more information, look here:
http://www.sfgov.org/site/police_index.asp?id=21348
Why not increase the number of officers on the street the cost-effective way? Free.
Sincerely,
Sam
- : 1.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 11th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Sam - I believe the inherent problems with this approach were graphically detailed in the famous documentary Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (COP). Keep in mind that this is a VERY slippery slope.
October 11th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Ivan and others,
I’d suggest you take a look at the link provided in the original post, if you have questions as to whether Reserve Police Officers are “citizens” or “sworn police officers”. (Answer: Sworn)
This is a great idea that already saves the city millions per year, but just is being under utilized.