Comments on: The (not so) secret life of Officer Mitty http://cops2point0.com/2009/06/18/the-not-so-secret-life-of-officer-mitty/ Branding police work via social media Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:06:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Christa Miller http://cops2point0.com/2009/06/18/the-not-so-secret-life-of-officer-mitty/comment-page-1/#comment-1732 Christa Miller Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:56:55 +0000 http://cops2point0.com/?p=321#comment-1732 Well, a year after writing this, I sympathize with both sides. I'm thinking mainly of Second City Cop, who blogs a lot of frustration with Chicago decision-makers including elected officials. That, of course, is a complicated situation -- budget cuts are endangering police lives everywhere, but in Chicago, the problem seems particularly profound with some officials refusing to take responsibility. Second City's voice is important, but is it enough to get voters to polls to vote problem officials out? Even if they do, what of the budget, which will still exist? At their best, blogs inspire change, and police administrators who are afraid of having to make systemic changes are the ones who are most likely to discipline blogging cops. It would make more sense for them to realize that it's possible to take baby steps if necessary, at least to make work a more bearable place for police, who will then be able to turn it around for their citizens. You touched on some of these issues in your first post, Roger -- I hope you will blog a lot more about the details of how PC Copperfield's blog led to systemic changes in Surrey policing! Well, a year after writing this, I sympathize with both sides. I’m thinking mainly of Second City Cop, who blogs a lot of frustration with Chicago decision-makers including elected officials. That, of course, is a complicated situation — budget cuts are endangering police lives everywhere, but in Chicago, the problem seems particularly profound with some officials refusing to take responsibility. Second City’s voice is important, but is it enough to get voters to polls to vote problem officials out? Even if they do, what of the budget, which will still exist?

At their best, blogs inspire change, and police administrators who are afraid of having to make systemic changes are the ones who are most likely to discipline blogging cops. It would make more sense for them to realize that it’s possible to take baby steps if necessary, at least to make work a more bearable place for police, who will then be able to turn it around for their citizens.

You touched on some of these issues in your first post, Roger — I hope you will blog a lot more about the details of how PC Copperfield’s blog led to systemic changes in Surrey policing!

]]> By: Roger Nield http://cops2point0.com/2009/06/18/the-not-so-secret-life-of-officer-mitty/comment-page-1/#comment-1731 Roger Nield Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:51:18 +0000 http://cops2point0.com/?p=321#comment-1731 I accept the truth that as police officers we cannot 'get it right' and recently sympahised with a Public (dis)Order commander who smiled wryly whilst delivering his sound bite, "We are being critissed by the left and complained about but the right so I reckon we're managing the event about right!" But when officers share their experiences honestly on a blog perhaps their employers should consider why they feel the need to share their frustration in this format rather than with senoir ranks. The Police Service should look to their communications and solve the problem not attack the blogger! I accept the truth that as police officers we cannot ‘get it right’ and recently sympahised with a Public (dis)Order commander who smiled wryly whilst delivering his sound bite, “We are being critissed by the left and complained about but the right so I reckon we’re managing the event about right!” But when officers share their experiences honestly on a blog perhaps their employers should consider why they feel the need to share their frustration in this format rather than with senoir ranks. The Police Service should look to their communications and solve the problem not attack the blogger!

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