Chicago Dispatchers

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Report Card

Hope springs eternal at oemc. Even when all evidence suggests its a lost cause, Blogmaster continues to long for that day--in the not too distant future--when oemc finally turns the corner and becomes a model of best practices, efficacy, and is run by competent and qualified suits...........

However, for the present and recent past, oemc is mired in incompetence. The present suits, apparently having learned nothing from their predecessors--all of whom were roundly and justifiably criticized for a variety of reasons by the operations floor personnel, have amply demonstrated their own incompetence in a variety of ways. "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss" as the old saying goes. Certainly it applies in this case.

The ED, allegedly a union guy himself and formerly "all around nice guy", appears to be in way over his head. The press conferences where he appears hopelessly lost, the deer in the headlights look, the arrogance combined with a profound ignorance of how the communications and operations aspect of oemc operate make for an all around cluelessness for which there is no compensation. Unlike Trotter with his politicians charisma, huberman with his undisputed brilliance, or velasquez who at times displayed a disarming and unexpected boyish charm, this ed has nothing to recommend him. Even so, Blogmaster had reserved judgement hoping to see what he could accomplish. The verdict is now in and it ain't good. A review of the record of this particular ed undistinguished reign thus far:

--failure to get additional staffing for 911 operations, even while the jobs are posted for "homeland security" and camera related positions at the oemc. The official city position is that there is no staffing shortage for operations and it doesn't even appear that anyone from oemc is privately lobbying city hall for additional staff (Blogmasters sources are very adamant on this point).

--turf wars and petty infighting have characterized this regime with the chain of command being corrupted. One good example of the recent edict, then the rescinsion, then the reimplementaion of the B clause even after the oemcs number 2 (allegedly) guy negotiated an agreement with the union. WTF? If HE didnt have the "authority" to make such an agreement with the union, then maybe he ought not to be the second in command and the ed himself should deign to speak a bit more with the union about its issues.

--continued discontent, strife, and general unhappiness among the managerial ranks which is a direct result of the top level managment style. A general unwillingness to listen to and address spco concerns. A renegade watch manager who has embarrassed the regime by officially deviating from the company line and caused untold havoc on a particular watch. A deputy director of police operations who is at odds with his watch managers and who apparently retaliated against an spco for unsubstantiated allegations and who has directed his subordinates on at least one occasion to perform unethical, perhaps illegal, actions on behalf of a pco.

These are real issues that are occurring in real time and this is only a cursory overview. The everyday decisions that are made by the suits have real implications for their subordinates, sometimes in unforseen ways. Every time a suit takes an action, or fails to take an action, it affect every employee. That is why the person at the top is so important--if he or she is ethically, morally, or otherwise challenged everything else will be tainted too.

9 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Where's Dick Shinners when you need him??????

26 February, 2008 13:42  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Or how about Admiral Funk?????

26 February, 2008 13:43  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, what illegal actions on behalf of a pco?? That would mean that someone higher up is even caring about a pco. This is big news!!

26 February, 2008 14:11  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What happened to the hiring of pcoII's that was supposed to take place?? I mean they all passed the test and went down for the background check but that was it.

26 February, 2008 23:23  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

even if they had the new pcoII's out ...... 85% that come out are useless. The newest class has proven to be incompetent except for a handful.....and they have been out for at least a year now. how bout get some people who are good in training and have potential to keep up with the busy summer. and the "veteran" pcoII's need to help out and stop being dogs. i know you have done your 10 years or whatever, but so what you are still a pcoII and you are still getting a pay check.....you still need to pull your weight and help the newer people get better !!!!

27 February, 2008 08:46  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You know what irritates me is the mentality of some PCO2s that they are too "good" to be call taking. Um , hello, being a call taker IS indeed part of your job description, and guess what....when the powers that be do away with the entire PCO1 title (which WILL happen eventually, as they continue to hire JUST PCO2s and the current crop of PCO1s retire, never to be replaced), you ARE going to be call taking on a more regular basis, so GET USED TO IT!!!! STOP YOUR FREAKING WHINING AND TAKE SOME DAMN 911 CALLS!!!!!!!!!

27 February, 2008 23:10  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

no its just cheaper to pay ot to a pc01 than a pc02

28 February, 2008 06:34  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

26feb 2323hrs
Why?
I don't recall in the job description when I was hired that part of my weight to pull was to help the newer people learn the job.
Where's the incentive? Oh yea I forgot PCo3 pay!
Remember those Pco3's who's job description did include helping the newer people?

28 February, 2008 06:37  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

of course it's not your job to help the newer people get better.....but i don't know im thinking maybe this would be to your advantage.....when it gets busy to look over and see someone next to you that can actually help out !

28 February, 2008 10:39  

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