I’m not sure where I saw it, but a sign near a fire station read, “What if you called 911 and no one came?” It’s a sobering thought and appears that from volunteers, to dispatchers and law enforcement officers, finding qualified people is a growing challenge.
It’s not hard to find stories about delays in 911 responses or mandatory overtime from this shortage and the problems a lack of time off is causing.
Some say low pay is the cause, but I’m not sure that’s all of it. It’s part of it for sure, but I’m convinced the strain on dispatchers who can’t get time off, and the progressive political assault on cops across the country, is too.
“Hands up, don’t shoot,” became a national slogan despite the fact it wasn’t true. What qualified candidate would look at the riots or character assassination of officers forced to make a deadly decision and say they want some of that? Would their spouse want them to?
Smaller agencies can have an especially difficult time competing for qualified candidates if money is the primary motivator. But I think some can compete in this market given the progressive politics of bigger jurisdictions, like Seattle, if they unashamedly support their good officers and their actions when they deserve it.
It was a May 4 story about an arrest Seattle police officer Nick Guzely made which may be a key to attracting good candidates to places like Lewis County.
A suspect stole an ice ax from an REI store in Seattle, threatened employees with it and left the store. He walked down the street with the ice ax in Seattle at lunch time, was repeatedly asked to put the stolen axe down, but wouldn’t.
Cops including Officer Guzley, are following him deciding what to do. As the approached a crowded area where people were enjoying lunch, officer Guzely was concerned the crowd could be in danger, and took an opportunity while the suspect looked away to bull rush and bear hug him, pinning the ax and disarming the suspect.
Seems like he made a reasonable and right decision, with significant but reasonable personal risk.
But rather than praise for taking action without hurting the suspect, (or civilians) Officer Guzely is recommended for a two-day suspension.
I read and reread the story several times figuring there must be some bad behavior on the officers part? Nope, still his supervisor and the Office of Professional Accountability recommended a suspension.
This is crazy, but a growing trend in larger progressive jurisdictions where facts don’t seem to matter, and process takes forever even when the facts are clear.
This situation in Seattle smells political and it’s hard to imagine how he could have used any less force. The suspect has already refused to comply with orders to drop the ax and if pressed, could have raised the ax and charged the officer or civilians which hardly seems a preferable outcome.
From all appearances, Officer Guzely made the right call and one needing to be made, which should be applauded.
Inappropriate activity should always be addressed, but it should actually be inappropriate — in my opinion, this wasn’t.
The Seattle Police Guild President Kevin Stuckey was quoted saying “We are almost in a crisis,” and “We can’t find people who want to do the job anymore.” Given Officer Guzely’s experience, it’s not hard to understand why.
Meanwhile the officer waits, even after a follow up showed support for Officer Guzely by SPD management and a recommendation opposed to any discipline to their chief.
This is where there can be opportunity for smaller jurisdictions, like ours, to attract good candidates for something other than pay.
It requires an agency and jurisdiction reputation for solid and steady leadership, support when appropriate, and moved by facts, not politics.
Leaders like that may be even harder to find.
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John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis, and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@yahoo.com.
