Over the years, the New Bedford Police Union has lost various positions. We have lost positions in specialized units such as the Major Crimes Division, the Gang Unit, the Narcotics Unit, K9 officers, Traffic Division, and School Resource Officers. Let us not forget the number of Uniform Patrol positions that have also been lost over the years. “Why have we lost these positions?”, well that is a very good question.
We have lost positions, in part, to retirements. We have also lost positions because of the overall downsizing of the department. Three and a half years ago, the downtown police station, referred to by us as Station 1, was closed. The positions from that station were folded into the north and south end stations, however as time passed some of those positions were lost through attrition. The following is the definition of attrition; the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure. The “attack or pressure” has come from outside of the department, the office of the Mayor, and from within.
For years the New Bedford Police Union has been under “attack or pressure”, losing the positions between Uniform Patrol and the specialized assignments. Our numbers continuously fluctuate in patrol, as there are many times where we run short staffed because of the decision to not force officers to fill the shift to full compliment. Some reading this may ask themselves “I don’t understand, why are they complaining about not being forced?”. It is not complaining on our part, it is the realization that we have set staffing levels, and these levels ensure that there are enough patrol officers on the streets of New Bedford to handle the calls for service that we receive. It allows for enough officers on the street to accurately and concisely assist the people of our city, to have enough officers to respond to emergencies, and ensure the safety of the people we protect and serve.
The staffing levels directly tie into the lost positions in patrol and specialized assignments. If there are not enough officers to fill the positions then the members of this Union are not the only ones who suffer, but the people of New Bedford suffer. They suffer from a potential delay in call response times. They suffer from overburdened police officers who, instead of covering one patrol sector in the city, may now be responsible for two or even three sectors. They suffer from the loss of positions within investigative units, where property crimes and major crimes such as homicides, shootings, and stabbings are investigated. By having reduced numbers in these specialized investigative units, it is more likely than not that some of the “lesser” crimes, such as property crimes (larcenies, breaking and entering, etc.) may not be properly investigated because overburdened investigators simply do not have the time to investigate them. Again, while we suffer from having the reduced numbers, it is the people of the City of New Bedford who suffer even more by not receiving the services that they pay for from taxes that are collected.
Between retirement and attrition, the department has lost various positions that have not been filled, to include high level supervisory positions (most recently illustrated by pointing out that the north end station is still without a Captain, the Division Commander for the north end station). As previously mentioned, positions have also been lost to other departments and agencies.
Many officers have moved on to other departments for various reasons. This is not simply due to “smaller towns with less calls for service” as has been suggested, but due to understanding that you are valued in that department. A city or town that has gained one of our officers has gained a tremendous asset for their department, as within a couple of years many of our officers deal with a high number of calls for services and serious incidents, providing them with more experience in a shorter amount of time than other officers gain over years of service in other areas. These officers go to other departments and agencies, sometimes for the fact that they can see that they are valued. They do not have to fight to get a contract settled, they do not have to consistently give something up to receive a benefit. When the “reduction in crime and serious incidents, and property crime” is brought up, relating to the hard work done by the officers, they are rewarded for their efforts.
The people of New Bedford can always depend on the men and women of the New Bedford Police Union, and we will always do the absolute best that we can to ensure that we provide the best service possible. We are professionals, responsible for responding to calls for service, assisting citizens, investigating lower-level crimes to major crimes, and above all ensuring that the people of our city feel they have a safer place to live, to raise their families, and to work in. We know that we have the support of the people of New Bedford, and we are extremely thankful for that support. As public servants, we simply wish to ensure that we have the means to reciprocate that support by being able to serve our citizens as best we can.
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