It seems Ben Gatiher and Glen Jefferson’s names have come to the forefront on occasion lately. If you will recall, we asked many months ago about the “Reverend” Gathier and his preacher posse. So, we’ll ask it again. Exactly what does the fine reverend do for 8 hours a day, weekends and all holidays off…..and of course a fine nice black Crown Vic to tool around in to go along with his decorated private office on Kingdom Hall, known as the 4th floor?
And, as only an MPO, why does he get to wear a command staff coat?
Who does he command, and who does he answer too? As far as we know, we have no priest, reverends, theology doctors, imams, rabbis, preachers, prophets, or witch doctors on full time staff…….that we know of.
We simply just don’t understand what he does. His preacher posse did go through a 40 hour class, we assume related to needs of an officer’s family when one takes one for the company, and is killed in the line of duty, or even an officer who is left with no alternative but taking a predators life.
Great for them! It is a good idea, and we hope they say a prayer for us all. But come on. Excepting for Preacher Gaither, all these fine folks do this out of the goodness of their hearts and would do it no matter what. They are all volunteers and I’m sure there is a call list. Beyond that, do they really need someone to direct them 5 days a week, 8 hours a day?
We do believe in forgiveness, but hey, how many times has he been fired from law enforcement? We believe it is time for him to preach among the ones standing in the unemployment lines, which is where he should be.
Now on to Glen Jefferson, yet another MPO with a take home car that does………what? We think he throws baseballs and footballs with kids in the parks or something like that. Maybe a police athletic league or something, but if so, when is the last time you have ever heard of such a thing, or when or where do they play? Ever hear of any fund raisers, volunteers needed and asking for donated equipment? Didn’t think so.
These are two noble ideas that take a lot of hard work. But they should be volunteers doing this stuff, not paid police officers costing at least $100,000 in salary alone. Now kick in 2 cars and all the “free” gas that goes along with it.
These two program positions need to be eliminated. There are many, many police officers and the preaching type that would enjoy doing such work.
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44 comments:
Jefferson is a good guy and does a good job.
Gaither, on the other hand...geez How does someone go from being fired by the police department for cheating on exams, then hired by the Sheriff's department, then leaving the Sheriff's Department under questionable circumstances only to be hired AGAIN by the Police Department and immediately put into Internal Affairs?? Someone who was FIRED FOR CHEATING ends up in Internal Affairs?? Only under Vernon!! And he STILL has a job here! Why??
Nice guy or not, I've never Jefferson do anything.
Gaither or Rancifer? Who hurts the dept. the most? TOugh call.
Citizen with steam coming out of the ears. What else will come to light now that Bolton can't silence anyone?
We can only hope that someone would see what has transpired in our history of DeKalb Police , this department has been torn from one extreme to another and now we have everyone with a certain agenta. When have we needed 50 or more ministers for this department? What is the cost for these people? When will it ever end?
I agree that both positions should be eliminated but at least Jefferson is a decent guy. Gathier on the other hand is about as big of a phony as you will ever meet. I’m amazed that this guy calls himself a chaplain and even more amazed that he calls himself a police officer. The department is running over with these types of people and programs but real crime fighters are increasingly hard to find.
As to the question of Rancifer or Gathier and who does more harm; Gathier is a big zero. He just gets a paycheck for doing absolutely nothing and because of his rank he is limited as to the harm he can cause. Rancifer on the other hand is an assistant chief and he does more harm to this department in a week than Chaplain Ben could do in a year.
Jefferson .geez, he work the PAL program, and just what does that require a take home vehicle - call out in the middle of the night for a lost bat or softball? Give me a break, he got to go......or the gas is on the tax payer.
Gaither .....a preacher who has committed something against the Ten Commandments........I said it all.
Integrity should be one of the main pillars in police work. DeKalb did the right thing by firing him (Gaither) and the police academy use to be a zero tolerance environment once upon a time (No thanks to Helms). But when Vernon re-hired him and put him straight into Internal Affairs it was a double "no no" and a major disrespect to those that wear the badge. Since then, Gaither certainly has not turned over a new leaf with his undeserving second chance. Simply put, he is a leach and a cheat. He should not have authority, a badge or a gun. Even worst he falls into the despicable category of a suspicious person who hides under the pretense of being a servant of God. Perpetrating a fraud through and through.
Is it just me or does this blog tend to attack minorities more than anyone else? Your true colors are starting to show.
Don't even get me started...one of our "A" banders on the Sgt's list is a retread.
God is watching you!
When will any changes be made? I guess people are scared to do anything with the possibility of Bolton winning an appeal and returning as Chief.
You forgot monks. I'm offended.
You know this is getting pothetic, bashing your own fellow officers. But I can imagine its probably higher up than my rank who is doing the bashing or probably yet someone who has been here more than 15 years. I really don't care about any of them and what they do because i never see them or see it and why should I...because Im worker and do my job rather than sitting hiding behind my desk. Just stay outta my way and let me police like a true police officer. Yet we need people like them to direct us but don't sit there and tell me how to police when really when the last time you actually made a arrest or done investigation or better yet gave a ticket or backed a fellow officer. All this bashing is non-sense and yet everyone keeps complaining yet what really are they doing about it. hiding behind a blog whining when really if its true then get off your ass and speak up. Make some noise isn't that what is being told to us. If you want results lead by example. People will follow. Stop the madness, we got what everyone wanted which is gone.
As a citizen, I don’t believe the persons behind this blog have personally attacked ether Gaither or Jefferson. If Gaither was fired, then I guess the truth hurts. I read it as they are attacking the waste. Those two positions are wasteful when the county needs to trim back.
Both their services are offered FREE by churches and charity groups. Why do the tax payers have to flip the bill? Personally, I’m contemplating filing a lawsuit to end the “Preacher Posse”. This is taxpayer dollars funding a governmental religious entity.
I have to agree with one of the previous posters. You guys are bashing each other now. Give it a break. It is so unprofessional! You criticize other officers for being ass kissers and not speaking up, yet you hide behind being anonymous on here and do the same thing you criticize the higher ups for. Keep it up. Pretty soon the dept will earn the reputation of being a group of backstabbing, infighting morons that no one can please. PLEASE STOP!
Long time reader, first time writer. I read a few comments that need addressing. For the blogger who said only the minorities are attacked. Well first off the there has been obvious favortism among the minorities since we have had minority chiefs. Examples: 6 black chiefs, 3 white not counting O'Brien (not perminate position.)3 black precinct majors, 2 white. All of Bolton's drivers were black. All of Vernon's drivers were black. All of the lieutenants that were promoted to majors were black. Several white comanders have been demoted no black comanders have been. We all should be put in positions either by testing or merit not color.
I have been with DeKalb PD 18 years and have seen alot of greta things happen but the Vernon era has ruined this department. To the citizens of DeKalb there are rumors that detective's take home cars will be taken away. Why? When we have folks like Gaither, Jefferson, Tabb (civilian), chief's aids, ICP,etc. who have take home cars. These people have never been called out. For those of you who hate that detectives have take home cars, then spend a few months in CID and see how much time you are away from home doing work for the county. Been there done that. Believe me uniform is do your shift and go home. CID guys always have stuff waiting on them the next day and try getting called out 2 to 3 times a night and then still have to pull a full shift at work. Get rid of the waste and leave the working guy/gal alone.
Uniform patrol folks have it ruff as well. The department has so many side units that officers can't keep up with the call volume. Disband these units and put the officers back on the street. Let Strike Force go back to patrolling the high crime areas like the old Black Cats used to. There is no need for district Net Teams if you did this. The county is wasting the Strike Force. This is Rancifers doin. Rancifer has also taken ever drug dog out of Narcotics. Why? Doesn't drugs and drug canines go together? Duh...
Citizens of DeKalb if you care about crime, you need to voice your concerns. Tell Ellis that you demand to have a Chief that has integrity (Like Bill O'Brien). I promise you citizens you will see a change for the better. Waste will be cut. Officers will be put back on the street and taken out of these cush positions. Once again folks do not look at his skin color, look at his merits and integrity. The department has gone from high standards to high egos. If the department continues like it has for the past 8 years then you better pray ever night for your safety because there will be no good officers left to answer the call.
"Is it just me or does this blog tend to attack minorities more than anyone else? Your true colors are starting to show."
No, this blog calls out the fakes, the phonies, the cheats, the wannabe's, etc. This blog has called out white & black, male & female, white and black elected officials, etc.
This blog could not be more fair. Stop playing the race card. The best chief we had was Eddie Moody, not because he was black, not because he was male, but because he rose up through the ranks over decades and treated officers with respect. Playing the race card is a weak attempt to displace blame. We have jokers that need to go, whether Rancifer, Gaither, Don Frank, etc.
I was just waiting for the time that someone would toss in the old Race Card! Here is what a previous Anonymous said: "Is it just me or does this blog tend to attack minorities more than anyone else?"
Are you freaking kidding me? This is no different than when you pull over someone for an expired tag or something and the first thing he or she says is "You just pulled me over because I'm black" People, stop using your race as an excuse to do whatever you want and then when you're caught doing something wrong scream racism. The days of discrimination as we know it are over and the days of reverse discrimination have just begun.
Leave Ben alone. He hasn't done anything to anyone. Now, I was supportive of this website and the officers endeavour of getting Tebo removed. But, I am totally against picking on a fellow officer just because. Whatever mistakes he made were in the past. Man did not give him a second chance God did. So let it be. Iam quite sure everone that reads this site have made a mistake in the past, those who haven't cast the first stone. I dare you. Seriously, co-workers let's focus our energy on doing positive things and not bashing our own. Pray and ask God to remove the evil spirit that make you dwell on the negative. God Bless, Go DKPD!
Unfortunately it doesn't all end with Bolton being "gone". It will take DeKalb some time to uncover and remediate all of Bolton's bad decisions.
Anonymous or not, I'm thankful for all the information on waste, and seeing how Bolton felt free to spend money in ways that didn't benefit the county or the DKPD. It continues to pile.
As far as attacking minorities only, unfortunately thats who was put in positions when they weren't deserving, passing over qualified people of all ethnic backrounds.
Jefferson is responsible for a lot of not qualified people making it through the backround process.
As far as Gaither, all I say is I saw Monsignor Kiernan wandering the halls when he was police chaplin, shaking hands, talking to officers. He wasn't on payroll and was issued an honorary uniform as were all Chaplins. They wore them only at ceremonial events.
To the person preaching about standing up and making some "noise"....I see that you are utilizing the "anonymous" function to make your points on this blog. Lead by example right?
The comments about bashing fellow officers are without merit. The young man thinks you can go out and do your job with no strings attached. Grow up and join the real world. In regard to your statement about getting off your "ass" and make some "noise" let me remind you of a one significant word, retaliation. Enjoy your tour.
To the above citizen, s#&t happens, and it should be reported. DeKalb has a heck of lot problems due to Vern and his hacks. Many of put our heads down, due to the knowledge we would be fired for reporting common knowledge events. for the record I am a DeKalb employee that heavily supports the DKPD with various operational projects. I see a lot that goes down, and my first recommendation, is audit or have a grand jury look into purchasing. Service contracts should also be looked into.
Four months ago Gaither spun me the most inspiring story of his live, that I went back and told all my co-workers, and I went back and told all my co-workers of the event. But I had noticed the chaplains sections had offices in most precincts and they never seem to do anything. Gaither assured me they were ready to counsel any traumatic event and had done soo frequently in the past.(courtesy of their take-homes and a nice salary)
I neglected to inform Gaither that a chaplains unit in LE is near-unheard of in these liberal times and that I personally thought the chaplains should be volunteers. There is more dirt where this comes, And I hope to see some Atlanta journalist start digging. Damn, we are giving you enough clues, to sink a moose!
To the person stating that this blog is attacking minorities, YOU sound like the perps claiming racism. Please, please evaluate your self and the people this blog is targeting. The blog has mainly targeted the 4th floor and those with access to it, not the race of the person. Last time I checked, there were at least 3 in the command staff that are white that were talked about in this blog.
Please throw that card back in the deck till it is really needed, not wasted. And yes, I am a minority that is tired of the race excuse, we are in 2009. Great strides have been made to defeat racism, not go back to it.
You forgot scientology I'm really offended.I'm going to take my high blood pressure medicine.oops I forgot we don't believe in medicine.
When will this end fighting stop?
Fly on the Wall
Well I think everyone knows now that we have two employees , who are on their own program of operations. Everyone want accountability for the jobs that they hold. Guess what these jobs have been grandfather in through the county previous administration. This needs to end and no this is not anything but accountability for what they do everyday. We will wait and see.
Thanks anonymous citizen, you are correct. The officer blogging before you is obviously a lazy guy or one who chooses to stick his/her head in the sand. As for the blogger who says that only minorities are being "attacked"..look around you, doofus. Black folks are the majority of the command staff now, and Horner, Waddleton, Helms, and the white majors have all been "attacked" too. Because they are just as bad as the black folks up there who are drinkin the Kool Aid..which by the way, is only one flavor..
Most be slow day, now you trying to mess with gaither and Jefferson. What have either one of them done to you, you probably don't know what they do because you never bothered to ask. You just like starting trouble for people to keep your blog going it is the only way you can get notice since you don't at work.
This is all very depressing. And I am not sure what is true. But I think that it is easy to defame people on this site and not know if the informaiton is true, partial or incorrect. I would hate to step on the foot of anyone on this blog because they would order my foot to be cut off. As an officer we are in difficult times and to see how we talk about eachother in the office says alot for what we might do in the street.
You guys at in the police have what, over 1000 police officers? After all the reading I've done the same several names keep popping up and the same things are being said about them. Whether it is an officer who was given unfair special privileges, a civilian who got a badge and a police car or a incompetent commander strategically placed by Bolton they all have something thing in common; BOLTON, GRAHAM or VERNON! All of which have been proven to be abusive and self serving. So, with all honesty I don't agree that this concept of the blog being where officers bash one another. If it was, I would see hundreds of names going back and forth. But instead, I see numerous posts focused in on the same guys with the same accusations. In my opinion it looks like it warrants looking into.
So much for "Free Will". According to the previous post, it seems that it was Almighty GOD that re-hired Ben Gaither after being fired for cheating then GOD put him directly into Internal Affairs where other officers would have to serve a minimum of 3 years on the street before making detective. Then GOD sent him to co-exist with the chiefs on the 4th floor so he could continue the trend of NOT earning anything. I want to thank the previous person defending Ben who brought this revelation to our attention. I guess I should release Vernon from any fault.
We don't need sworn officers working as social workers, whoever they are black, white or green...we are all supposed to be PD blue remember?...or gray as the situation is presently. . We need all sworn officers on the street or in CID. Crime is lurking.
This is to the comment about minorities being attacked on this blog. STOP USING THAT AS AN EXCUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This blog is not attacking minorities. IT IS ATTACKING CRIMINALS!!! CRIMINALS HAVE DESTROYED THE DEKALB POLICE DEPARTMENT. NOT MINORITIES!! GET A NEW LINE ALREADY!!!
Here is the good news, once we have a permanent chief with a good head on their shoulders I'm certain they will take a good long look at the present command staff. It might take some time to straighten everything out, but at least we are on the right road.
The wasteful ways and bad management will come to an end.
Black Cats...........now those were the good ole days. Back in the day, it was fun being a police officer and it was almost an insult being called a "cop". Everybody enjoyed going to work and getting it done. Everybody respected each other, your word and a handshake truly meant something back then. As for Rancifer taking the Drug dogs out of Narcotics, how ridiculous. It took Ledbetter forever to convince Burgess that the dogs were needed and to get funding approved to have them in the first place. It's about time somebody raked out the barn and cleaned up. DKPD is not what it used to be, but hopefully with the albatross removed, it will once again rise to the top where it should be. Keep up the good work !
Yes, Anonymous you're right. We have all made mistakes in the past just ask Chief Frank who was promoted for commiting crimes for Vernon. And yes, Ben Gaither has made mistakes too. The only difference is that Gaither hides behind "God" and uses "God" to collect a police paycheck. I can only assume that you are one of the 40 or 50 chaplains that we have. Stop hiding behind God and get your facts straight. Everyone does deserve a second chance but when you cheat in the police academy then you don't deserve a second chance at the same department that you brought shame too. God did not hire Ben Gaither and put him in internal affairs unless you consider Vernon Jones God.
As far as Jefferson is concerned. I have only met him a few times but he is one of the most respectable people that I have met. You have to give credit for getting out there and being a role model for kids. Kids at a young age that grow up in DeKalb only know to hate the Police but Jefferson helps to put a good face on the department and show the kids that we're here to help. I think what he is doing is good. Does his job deserve a take home car? I don't know, but lets stop hating on any and every Officer that has a take home car. Civilians like Dora Tabb should never have take home cars but you know as well as I do that it will never be taken from her.
It's time to totally clean house of those who embarass this department. TeBo and Keisha Margarita are gone. Gaither, Rancifer and Don Frank need to be next.
Things are looking up, but there are still those who disgrace the uniform, and need to go now.
An anonymous poster said ... " Black Cats...........now those were the good ole days. Back in the day, it was fun being a police officer....."
For the record, let me state that I and many other officers still feel that policing is "fun". We enjoy what we do and periodically go home with a feeling of satisfaction and are proud of what we did on duty.
It doesn't happen as much as it used to, but I still get a taste of that satisfaction that makes all the sacrifices worth while. It might be an arrest or "feeling like you made a difference" in society as a whole or some individual's life.
Now..... we are frustrated by the status of the department and where we find ourselves today.
Gone are the days of professionalism and high standards that were the norm for DKPD. We long for the days that we could get out and simply "just police" or "crush crime". We're shy about taking action and doing the things we need to do because the Brass won't stand up and back us and the DA is out to make an example of some poor soul.
What we all know is the "right thing to do" might just land us in front of a Grand Jury. Yeah, we may eventually win out, but at what cost. Our careers, our good name and our families are on the line. I'm not talking about stepping over the line or bending the rules, I'm talking about just doing the right thing.
Yes, we love what we do. We just want the command staff, the public and the county to get behind us.
Let us do what we do best. Let us POLICE!
Does anyone remember when a perp would not set foot inside Dekalb County? We need to bring those days back to ourselves and the citizens. We need the D.A. and the Judges to send these these criminals to the max sentence that can be impose.
This statement from one of the above Anon's is so sad, but I felt this was largely the way our county was run under Vernon and Bolton:
"Many of put our heads down, due to the knowledge we would be fired for reporting common knowledge events. "
I'm tired of a County that spends taxpayer money in wasteful ways. Tired of a county leaders that intimidate employees with termination if they report mis-use of taxpayer dollars or other indiscretions. And finally, I'm tired of being lied to when elected or appointed County officials get caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
WE DESERVE BETTER!
Ok, let's get back to business. The summer is around the corner and crime is rising. Can we all say Black Cats! Thunder Cats, something other than fussing and fighting with each other.guess what while we are hating on each other, the perps are winning.
I said I have the solution to the problem.
1.Start the DKPD(only) reservist unit. In exchange for volunteer hours you can work extra jobs.this must be monitored.
This will free open spots to hire new officers and have the reservist work screening on the weekends when there is no civilian coverage, drive the wagon and answer signal 3's. A mandatory 30hours a month in exchange for 40 hours of extra jobs a month and keep their arrest powers.
2.Bring back the black cats or increase the gang unit by 30 more officers. The perps run the streets, thats a no no, this Dekalb County did we forget?
3.Revamp recorders court and add 20 more motor officers.if we all strickly enforce the laws in the county,the fines,tickets and arrest should be more than enough to add money to support our budget and some.
We must think outside of the box, new idea, concepts and attitudes. My mother always told me " if you going to think you might as well think BIG".
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