Only Two Applicants

The latest patrol sergeant selection was from two, count them, two applicants.

One applicant had about five years on the department, the other applicant had close to twenty years with the department. This is not a post about the qualifications (either good or bad) of either applicant.

What happened to everyone else? In times past, there would be a rush of applicants for the written and oral testing once the open position was announced. The selection would be made using the rule of the top three who qualified. It appears that the deputies have finally gotten the message from longshanks. That is "Don't bother testing because we will pick who we want-when we want." That message has been demonstrated with promotions before and now it appears the message has got through.

Too bad, but that is the direction that the department has been going for some time-DOWNHILL.

Community Safety/Federal House Bill 218

The bill (Federal House Bill 218) basically started with the idea that allowing former/retired law enforcement officers to carry a weapon would make for a safer community. So the federal law is now that former/retired officers who are currently qualified with a handgun may carry that handgun, irregardless of local law.

So, what has longshanks done to allow retired deputies from the sheriff's department to qualify and carry a weapon under this act?

Nothing at all. More than several words have reached Ddg regarding the non-qualification of retired deputy sheriffs.

Other local departments (like the Cheyenne Police Department and the Wyoming Highway Patrol) do get their retired people qualified and also notify them on a yearly basis when the qualification will be. How hard can it be to notify retirees of a shoot date and time? This must be too much for the overstaffed administration that glick currently keeps employed.

For years now, the Wyoming Sheriff's Association has issued a yearly sticker that is attached to a retired officer's identification card to show that they are qualified.

Retired deputies from Laramie County have had to go to other law enforcement organizations in order to qualify with a handgun and thus be legally armed and dangerous to the criminal element. From the information received, no they don't have the sticker.

Is it sheer laziness or stupidity on longshanks' part?
Does it matter if it is laziness or stupidity as the end result is the same?
Will it change when longshanks and certain staff retire? You can bet on that!

Wyoming Supreme Court Decision

The Wyoming Supreme Court (WSC) issued a ruling today (032812) regarding the case of former Laramie County Deputy Sheriff Ken Cook. Read the whole decision on the Wyoming Supreme Court web page. Look under Supreme Court Decisions.

WSC:
"We agree with the district court that the record does not substantiate the sheriff's findings that there was sufficient cause to terminate Deputy Cook's employment with the sheriff's office.

We therefore, affirm the district court's reversal of the sheriff's decision."

Slam (by Judge Fenn) and dunk (by the WSC), the judicial system got it right. Of course Ddg suspects the local "media" will ignore and/or bury this story from the voters.

Okay, now let's see how much this illegal firing will cost the tax payers of Laramie County for retaining and promoting staff incapable of handling a simple personnel problem, and for re-electing a sheriff who doesn't recognize the weaknesses of  his own staff. Cook should collect every cent that he can on this one.

R. I. P. Sgt. Leonard Crozier (Sam 5)-Cheyenne Police Department Retired

We lost a true hero this week. Leonard Crozier left us on Monday March 19th, 2012.

Leonard was a Cheyenne Police Officer who was later promoted to sergeant.

For those of you that had the honor and privilege to know and work with Leonard, no further words are necessary.

For those of you that never knew or worked with this amazing person, Ddg cannot adequately express the great person that Leonard was, both within and outside of the law enforcement profession.

Suffice it to say that Leonard looked a lot scarier that he was. Leonard had advice to give and was a mentor to many of the police officers and deputy sheriffs over the years.

In better words from George Orwell, Leonard was a reason "people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

When Leonard started losing his sight, he bemoaned the fact that he would't be able to look at the pretty girls.

Thank you Leonard Crozier for standing on that thin line as you are still probably doing.

Heaven needed a junk yard dog with a heart.

Although Leonard did not want a memorial service, raise a toast to him when you can. Those that we do not forget are still with us.

Would someone tell me I'm right?? Please??

Read it for yourself online. Wyoming Supreme Court Docket #S-11-0152 where longshanks files an appeal in an attempt to overturn the decision of District Court Judge Fenn in reversing the firing of Deputy Kenneth Cook. Once you read it, including the appeal to the Wyoming Supreme Court through the Laramie County Attorney, you can make your own determination as to the level of stupidity involved. Ms. Hackl is not to blame. She is doing her job, distasteful at times as it is.

Quoting Judge Fenn that
"findings by Sheriff glick (small g is by Ddg) regarding each violation were against the substantial evidence elicited during the hearing."
"The sheriff does not give a clear reason for finding petitioner in violation of this policy......."

Judge Fenn notes that the testimony of Lieutenant Gesell during the hearing did not support the paperwork she filed for the termination of Deputy Cook. Captain Hillegas merely rubber stamped Gesell's findings. We've been told by people that know that this is not a surprise to anyone who works at the department and knows "Sounds Good To Me."

Then longshanks agrees with his staff (how could he not) in terminating Deputy Cook, after obviously not listening to the evidence presented with an open mind although he was in attendance for the hearing. Kind of like longshanks already had his small, closed mind made up before the hearing. Not much of a surprise there, folks.

So now glick's firing will cost the taxpayers of Laramie County (that's you folks) the wages of Deputy Cook since the time that he was wrongly fired. This is along with other damages have yet to be determined and awarded by the court once Judge Fenn's ruling is upheld.

Does this mean that Deputy Ringrose's related firing will also be appealed and overturned? Of course Deputy Ringrose's case was decided in Laramie County District Court by Judge Peter (Having my opinion overturned is just something I live with because it happens so often) Arnold.

Local judge, local sheriff, loco results!

Be Safe Out There

As Christmas Day and the New Years Eve holiday approaches, Ddg would again thank those that stand on the line to protect and serve the citizens of Laramie County. Your sacrifice and willingness to do a job that few can or most would not want to do is very much appreciated. You do not hear it often enough, but Thank You, each and every one that does the job. Especially those of you that work without the fanfare or recognition that you deserve. Be safe out there.




To longshanks and his administration, a few lumps of coal are more than you deserve. You will have to pat yourselves on the back because people do know the truth.

Fairfield Inn

Just having a look at last weeks shooting at the Fairfield Inn. A few of the things that come to mind.

First and foremost, a speedy recovery to the deputy and thanks that he was not injured more seriously than he was.

Secondly and much more important, remember when longshanks was running for sheriff and complaining that Sheriff Allsop was not training the deputies properly? Ddg sure does! After only two full terms in office and headed into his third, longshanks is directly responsible for the lack of training. So now the training has obviously regressed to a point where the deputies on the street are not being trained to handle an emotionally disturbed (ARMED) person call properly.

Here are some of the rules that were taught at the department prior to glick's regime taking over. They managed to keep deputies safe, for some odd reason.

First rule, everyone goes home at the end of shift, preferably in good shape. You and your partners are at the top of the list along with the uninvolved citizens. If you get hurt, who takes care of your family/loved ones? Who protects the citizens?

Second rule, A suicidal subject is considered homicidal. Whether it be suicide by cop, homicide of a loved one and then suicide, or taking out any of the responders before surrendering, dealing with suicidal subjects is a high risk call. No question.

Third rule, Lethal cover is in place before deploying less/non lethal force when confronted with a deadly force situation. You go one up on force, so the first rule will apply.

What is being taught for street survival there makes the experienced deputies wince. The various information that Ddg gets on the BS that passes for training now is scary. Almost as scary as the paranoid sergeant that continually preaches to his shift on a daily basis about all the bad people out there that will shoot them. Hey sarge, the real idea is to be prepared, not paranoid. Of course you are outstanding in your field, at least in your own mind.

Yes, it is not a nice world out there sometimes. Proper training and proper preparation can make all the difference. Unfortunately, the department will have to live with the training that is approved by glick. The buck does stop at his desk, not matter how he tries to spin it. Hopefully there will not be any other deputies getting hurt where it could be avoided.