The shortage of officers continues to be a problem for the town of Madison and the Police Commission as Union grievances continue.
Officer Matthew Sterling's grievance was heard last Thursday at the Police Commission meeting. It was in reference to a written report he received on his record for not being present at the July 3rd fireworks, even though he was not called to be there. His lack of presence led to another grievance where officers exceeded the 16-hour work limit in one day.
"Officer Sterling on April 16 requested to Lt. Rollinson, who has since retired, time off for vacation around July 2," said Lt. Stimpson. "There was a stipulation that he would work the fireworks on July 3.There were no requests honored for that night."
William Ruddell, national representative for the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE), said Sterling was told if he was ordered to come in, he would, however he never received a call. Sterling at the time of the appointed date was out of state at a family wedding.
"When I didn't get a phone call, I stayed on at my cousin's house," said Sterling. "When I came home that night [of the 3], I saw there was one voice mail from a fellow officer, saying 'you're supposed to be here, where are you?'"
Sterling had worked a double shift from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the June 29, the day before he left on vacation. Ruddell said even though Stimpson had posted the need for the officers to be there on July 3 to help with the fireworks, he didn't post the sign up until after the 4 p.m. roll call and briefing of the officers.
"How was he supposed to know he had to be there?" said Ruddell. "You had the responsibility to tell him, and you didn't."
Stimpson said the date of July 3 has historically been a night where every officer on the police force is required to be present, and Sterling has been a member of the Madison Police Department for six years.
"Every other year it's been the same date. No officers in this department escape this date," said Stimpson. "Our historical nature is that everybody works this event, unless they are sick, in the hospital, or on extended vacation leaves. It is the responsibility of the officer to find out what is going on in the department."
President of the Union Officer Tim Heiden said after 4 p.m. officers generally do not check the message boards again, and even though Stimpson was around when Sterling was working after 4 p.m., he failed to give him the order to be at the event.
"It's true it would have solved many issues if Sterling had been called," said Chief Paul Jakubson. "But he knew that with everyone, there still is not enough personnel."
After retiring to executive session, the Police Commission came to a compromise.
"The written discipline will be changed to an oral reprimand, with the agreement of both parties," said Commissioner Robert Cerosky. "The written discipline will be taken out as of December 15."
Commissioner Michael Heaney suggested for the next public hearing to be held on Sept. 22 that each of the members of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance be invited by letter to discuss police staffing.
"I would like to request any of them to address to us why they felt, as boards, that it was appropriate to reduce the number of officers we have in the last budget cycle,' said Heaney. "It would be a chance for them to state publicly why it is a good idea the [police] department has been cut as significantly as it has."
The Police Commission will also be sending a letter to First Selectman Tom Scarpati to call a town meeting to discuss hiring additional officers above budget-approved staffing levels.
"We want to get the taxpayers involved in the staffing issue," said Cerosky. "We want to get the facts from people and what their expectations are."
© Shore Line Times 2005