Thursday, June 2, 2011

New Uniform Shirts Go In Effect June 6

I wonder who picked this date for us to start wearing the new shirts? Is the date just a coincidence? With Yarbrough's thinking, probably not.

But we would like to thank him for the shoulder patches that are not centered and basically look like crap.

And now that gas is over $3.50 a gallon, we would also like to thank him for the added financial burden of having to have chevrons and rockers sewn on.

But we guess the guys in TAC, CID, all the aides and the motor officers don't have to worry about that do they? Seeing how they have a take home car and all. Just think, every time gas goes up, they are basically getting a raise.

As usual, uniform stepped on once again.

69 comments:

Anonymous said...

Soon to be old uniforms and cars:

Uniforms: Gray Shirts, Black Pants
Patrol Cars: top half gray and the bottom half black

Coincidence....I think not

New Uniforms and Cars are all black

Coincidence...i think not

Must be color coordinated at all times. Its a top priority here where priorities are all outta whack.

I got a nice alteration bill for the shirts and for the patches to be sewn on to boot.

The new shirts are now 100% Polyester. Real Breathable. Especially in the sumnmer! Didn't Polyester go out in the 70's along with Disco Music and Bell Bottom Pants?

M outta here....where you at?

-Anon 1118

Anonymous said...

I said it before. I strive to one day be an aide to a big toad or a motor officer or the like...why the hell would anyone want to put their life on the line with a uniformed grunt job when those mentioned above are permanentely on the M-F day watch take home car gravy train....for the same pay.

Anonymous said...

I just checked my patches and sure enough it looks like someone just slapped them on there and hit it with an iron. I shouldn't be surprised that some lazy ass couldn't even put the patches on straight, but damn....they even have the holes sewn shut where the badge goes. Completely ridiculous and indicative of how this county operates.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of take home cars...I was going home 20 east the other day..and a Dek unit flewwwww by me, had to be going 100mph---going to a call??? NOPE exited on Salem Rd. Think of that (and other instances) where gas is #WASTED

Anonymous said...

Amen!!!!

Anonymous said...

Tucker for life? You sure have some lofty goals don't you.

Anonymous said...

Please take your GED to another Department already.

Tucker Pct4Life said...

To Anon 4:34, that was me. It was quittin time and I had to get home to take my kids to the ball game (in my G-ride, of course, since I'm on call)! Had to beat traffic home...my bad.

Anonymous said...

Dummy. Dekalb didn't make the shirts. They do breath better than the cardboard shirts we wear now. its a step ahead.

Anonymous said...

Lets sow on the sock & shoes, and that way, they will be always polished !!

Anonymous said...

I see DKPD cars all the time exiting at Hamilton Mill PKWY in Gwinnett County. Must be nice.

Anonymous said...

Wow....really.....this is what you guys complain about these days???

What a bunch of losers, good thing you guys don't have to work in the real world. Pansies!

Anonymous said...

Who inspected these shirts before we took delivery on them?

Wait , no one, just like everything else in DeKalb.

Anonymous said...

The county changes shirts and it cost the employees money to make the change. I guess it the democratic way of life.

Anonymous said...

Just checked my shirts also, everyone of the patches are sewed on crooked. Now I have to get them fixed by a real tailor, they will love my bill I submit. Have to pay for them to be removed and then sewed on again. Whos idea was it to go with these black silk shirts, looks like something from the disco era. Im sure Officers will be passing out from heat strokes in this 95 degree weather with black silk shirts. Cant wait to see what they look like when people try to iron them. Another waist of money these shirts wont last long.

Anonymous said...

They are not grey and hopefully will not fade. The grey shirts were bad, hope the black ones hold up. New uniforms always mean some patches have to be sewed on/ no matter the color. Uniforms don't last forever so no matter the color, new ones issued still have to have patches put on/ or altered over the wear of uniforms. How long you been around? Be glad the faded grey are gone.
Hopefully these will hold up and no fade like the grey.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like crap to me. So how is this going to work? I submit a bill for $100.00, my co worker submits a bill for $150.00, another for $125.00, another for 80.00 for all the work. Is everyone going to get exactly what they pay for the repair. Besides who is going to regulate this. Even if my patches were on correct im still submitting a bill because there will be no way of knowing, THANK YOU. This is crap and I have a feeling we will never get reimbursed. How about just swaping out the shirts with patches that are on correct and pushing the date back. This is going to be a nightmare. Another great STUPID idea. Who comes up with this crap.

Anonymous said...

Who's idea was it to just have the sleeves removed and turned. Im no tailor, but its not rocket science to see that there is a seam under the sleeve that makes this not possible. How bout just have the sleeves removed all together and wear them as muscle shirts. Any more brilliant ideas.

Anonymous said...

My patches are all jacked up as well. I also found them to be glued on instead of sewed. You get what you pay for. I wonder who has the contract to put these patches on. I bet we wouldn't be shocked to learn if it was an employee. Just great more money out of my pocket for this place. I wonder if these shirts were even tested prior to being purchased in bulk. I guess we will see how they hold up.

Anonymous said...

Tucker Pct4Life,
Im not suprised that you live off of Salem road "dawg"...lol....you ignorent thug.

Cornholio said...

Got my new shirts....the patches say "DeKalb Police Explorer"and the are upside down, "Master Officer" is spelled "Mister Office", oh well....hope nobody will notice.

Anonymous said...

Who inspected the shirts and accepted delivery?... probably the same person who accepts delivery of the patrol cars from Motorola.

How many patrol cars have the computer mounted so close to the dashboard that it sits almost straight up... how many computers are mounted in such a way that they interfere with the steering wheel... damn... there should be one SET way for Motorola to install the electronics and the center console.

Anonymous said...

To Anon 10:25, "good thing you guys don't have to work in the real world." Really? You're gonna get on this site and try to tell a bunch of Dekalb officers what the real world is? A bunch of Dekalb officers who, even with all our problems, are still some of the most street hard and street smart cops in the country. Why don't you take your civilian sheep ass elsewhere cause when the "real world" kicks your door in at night we'll be there to take care of the problem while you piss yourself cowering in the back of your closet.

Anonymous said...

Tucker Pct4Life...hahaaaa, ok you got it. Probably WAS you-MUST BE NICE Hey can I catch a ride next time I need to go somewhere? actually my kids have some basketball games this summer..come 'swoop us up in yo G-ride' we'll be waiting -Anon 4:34

Anonymous said...

I wear the shirt no matter what it looks like, we no longer a professional place. My shirts are off center , all I can say is WTF.

Anonymous said...

What happen to the take home car program? I guess like everything else just a passing dream. I like to be able to have a car for part times so I can sit in them with the air on staying cool. Some of these cars are treated just like POV's.

Anonymous said...

Ok let's quit being stupid for a moment and adress the real issues here.
1. The county claims they are broke and yet they are going to reimburse people for uniform alterations...yeah right...this is the same county trying to use uniform officers as ticket writing machines to close a multi-million dollar budget gap...
2. When we finally do get new stuff, it seems to usually be worse than the older stuff. Luckily all my patches came correct, I must be one of few, but the new shirts feel like they're made of burlap. I really can not see them being comfortable for a hot ten hour shift. To go along with this, how about those new copiers? Once again we got something new and look what replaced it...
3. As much as we get preached to about standardization and whatnot, why is it that almost every patrol car we get in has the radio, siren controls, and KDT in a different place? It seems like the people installing this stuff are just randomly sticking it into the cars. This is the case even with newer vehicles, and even then there are plenty of things that do not work on them (PA, wig wag/directional lights, radios that go out of range when you're less than a mile from hq, KDTs that can not hold a charge, etc)

I could go on, but we get the point. We need certain things to do our jobs, but if the county is not willing to provide them, then our productivity will suffer. It's not even a matter of us against them, it's a matter of basic necessities not being available, or replaced with inferior equipment. And all this while we're bringing home less money with each check.

Anonymous said...

Well let me just start by saying this...I be damned if I'm going to spend a dollar having these patches sewn on. If they had wanted them on there then they should've had them put on. I've been screwed out of sooooo much money at this place over the last 4 yrs and now they're talkin of more furloughs and again no merit increase and they want me to use what little freakin money I have left to sewn on their freakin patches on their freakin ugly ass uniforms...screw that...I will be out of uniform and have no problem telling even the chief that if he wants the patches sewn on then I'll be more than happy to drop them by his office. I'm not spending $30 dollars to sewn on freakin patches. ...and yes that's the price I've been quoted by several alterations places.
No not this time. I'm freakin so tired of this place screwing us at every turn. I'll have on the shirt just as it was issued to me ...period.....I don't have the money....my wife has lost her job and we're squeakin by on every dime we have....my children come first and no way I'm takin from them so that this freakin county can have me wear a shirt with stupid little patches on it. YOU HEAR THAT.....I'm not going to conform...so stick those patches where the sun doesn't shine.

Tucker Pct4Life said...

Anon 4:34, I'd be happy to help. We should all try to carpool in G-rides when we can!

Anonymous said...

To anon June 3, 2011 8:24 AM

You assume too much..I don't need you or anyone else coming to save me...Thats why Sam Colt made everyone equal...Besides, looking at the majority of the post's on this blog...I wouldn't want one of you lazy, complaining, non-qualified, criminal, upside down patch wearin fools anywhere near me or my family.

You'll probably disagree but take the time to read your brothers and sisters posts on this blog...You guys look like fools, and fools was the nicest word I could use.

Anonymous said...

It's Unifom, not uniform

Anonymous said...

If you want a take home car so bad you should have applied with a department that issues them to everyone such as Gwinnett or Alpharetta....or you should do your time and get on a team or unit thats on call. Pretty simple stuff here people. If the car is that important then go elsewhere or take on the added responsibility of on an call unit.

Anonymous said...

You people need to shut up and quit your bitching. You want a take home car, transfer to a unit that will get you one. Do not think for one minute that cops with cars do not work for a living. They work as hard as you do and put their lives on the line every day too. You just need something to complain about. You don't like it, transfer out of uniform or SHUT UP

Anonymous said...

I have heard that the new shirts are thinner than paper and soak up sweat worse than a sponge. Well, at least one will not have to go under a hose to cool off!

One thing is for sure......Don't put them in a clothes dryer for it might melt and screw up the dryer.
Do put crazy glue on to put on patch as this will also eat up the fabric.

These new shirts could be made from FLASH PAPER in which case.....Puff the Magic Dragon

Anonymous said...

Why did this post end up going from the new uniforms to a bitchfest about take home cars? I agree that the new uniforms are completely jacked up and that it's crap the county wants us to pay to get them fixed (and don't beleive for a moment that they are going to reimburse) but take homes are not the issue here...

Anonymous said...

Stupid People. Read the instructions totally on reimbursement for shirts. The company advised that they were reimbursing the money stupid. Don;t commit fraud, like one idiot indicated earlier when he stated that it would cost over 100 dollars. They usually average about 5 dollars a patch. sometimes cheaper.

Anonymous said...

Well I've been to 3 places and the cheapest was $7 a patch which is $14 a shirt. That works out to $56....no way in hell...my damn cable bill doesn't cost that. I'm broke after working for this department. My wife is out of work and It's become a necessity for my wife and I to budget every freakin dollar. There is no way I can cut into my families budget to sew on stupid freakin patches that should've been done right before they were issued to me. I will be in uniform and so help me the first supervisor that has a problem with it can kiss my ever lovin A$$. I will be wearing what the county issued to me. I have nothing more to give and no extra money to lend towards this dept's incompetence. I will be at work wearing what I was givin...PERIOD...you hear that LT. Whittington, & Major Higdon.

Oh the idiot that posted they are reimbursing....well news to you don't hold your freakin breath besides I don't have it to put out there to begin with...U DumbA$$

Anonymous said...

Dude...since your wife isn't working can't y'all do it old school with needle and thread?

Duh!!

Anonymous said...

My dog left me, My bed cheated on me, my mother is a man, geez so many complaints, Quit complaining and think positive vibes maybe your life would be better ....Seriously life is too short to sit on this blog and complain all day....Me I'm happy, happy that I'm able see things differently with a smile and a laugh !.... ;.)

Anonymous said...

I just checked and none of the aides have a take home car, except for Padrick and Chief Holmes aide. The other aides share 2 pool cars and if they are in use, they drive their POVs where they need to go.

Anonymous said...

And the saga continues. Like the rest of you, all of the patches on my three new uniform shirts look like they were sewn on by a cross eyed monkey (I’m sure the forth shirt would have been crooked as well but Supply did not have another shirt in stock to issue me).
Rumor is that we will be reimbursed for alterations. I have seen nothing official. Have I missed something? My questions are as follows: “Where is the supplier in all of this?” “Why didn’t Chief O’Brien order us to turn in all of the issued shirts and demand that problem get fixed?” “Are the long-sleeved shirts going to have the same problems?” “Did anyone in this department conduct any testing and evaluation on these shirts in the real police world, namely the Uniform Division, prior to ordering them?” “Chief O’Brien, what are your thoughts and solutions concerning this issue because I am having trouble hearing you?”
Like most of the officers employed here, I too am low on discretionary funds but I refuse to wear shirts that will embarrass me and this department. I must caution those that are part of the Command Staff, my pride and the pride of my colleagues is running thin with this department. Step up or step out please.

Anonymous said...

The best was that they used their take home cars to drive to the alteration shop to drop them off to have the patches sewn on. Seriously people, how many times has a ticket writing unit been called in off duty to write tickets. We are all subject to being called in should a large scale emergency happen. This on-call excuse is for the birds. We all work J2 for some extra money, the difference is the take home cars become free gas and ac while sitting in front of a club. You guys that laugh about running your errands on county fuel as long as you make your daily quota are part of the waste. We all have an obligation to enforce traffic laws, you don't need a take home car to entice you to make your quota. I pay taxes in this county and try to serve the citizens as best as I can on a daily basis. You can't have perks for some and not all and expect peace and harmony. How many of these people with take homes leave before shift change because they know if called they have their car and no one will notice. I know several that brag about this perk. Sad, we all have to buckle down and keep the pressure on the CEO, BOC, and voters to change the problems. Dangling take home cars over peoples heads in exchange for tickets is a joke.

Anonymous said...

Support Services (Supply) said the company would reimburse us, that's under Holmes, not Yarbrough. Yarbrough wasn't even a Chief when we had to give our sizes for the shirts.

Anonymous said...

I READ HERE WHERE EVERYONE IS BITCHING AND WHINING ABOUT THE SHIRTS AND THE PATCHES, BUT MINE ARE FINE.IS THIS JUST WHERE EVERYONE IS JUST PILLING ON? COME ON GUYS, LETS STICK TO THE REAL AND USEFUL ISSUES,LIKE OUR PENSION, PAY, INSURANCE AND SO FORTH.

Anonymous said...

Remember what Oprah says, "YOU are responsible for the energy you bring to the party" and she chooses our presidents now so get used to it.

Anonymous said...

Amen anon 1211. Its about time the leaving early after quota was exposed.
Another one of Jerry's perks. And you can 1041 from the house without clocking in and start writing tickets.
How many are abusing this?

Anonymous said...

Like Whittington would put paper on someone. If he sees anything that even looks like work he runs and hides. Right little buddy!
At least Higdon knows he a prick.just ask Pursley.

Anonymous said...

For as long as I have been with this department there has ALWAYS been bitching and complaining about take home cars. Even when we were getting merit increases...even when we went to a 4/3....no matter what...bitch bitch bitch about those special ones that have take home cars. SHUT UP or go some where you can get a damn take home car. Put in for CID. Do you SERIOUSLY think that stripping Detectives of their take home vehicles will miraculously fix the county's debt problem?? Or are you just SO freakin jealous it's eating you up inside??? I'm gonna go with jealousy! I guarantee that some of you on here bitching wouldn't last ONE hour in my spot. SHUT UP, MOVE ON, OR MAKE SOME CHANGES IN YOU CAREER PATH!

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness...enough about the damn take home cars! Every posting turns into a bitch session about damn cars.

Anonymous said...

Why do motor Officers have take home cars?

Gold Badge said...

My guess.....Motor officers rate take home cars because they are on call. They are the first responder called when the Chief or the CEO find themselves stranded somewhere in Dekalb County.

They rate a take home because the county knows we need them at a moments notice... how many times have you sat after roll call waiting for a unit? These guys are working tirelessly in the background to get you a unit...... they needs that take home to scramble into action at a moments notice.

Not sure why Gaither is driving a gas guzzling Tahoe, but that's my guess.

Anonymous said...

Its the items like the go home after reaching your quota policy that fuels some of this anger. The take home car allows for this because in the eyes of Joe Q. Citizen you are still working. No one is gonna know that your unit was parked an hour or two early. Beware Jodie loves a good taxpayer abuse story like this one. Even though you made your quota you can still be productive. Its hard to provide quick backup from your living room. We all know who condones this policy in order to get his numbers. Just do your ten and then go home. You will have your furlough days to rest on the sofa.

Anonymous said...

The County could have saved money and just gave us black plastic garbage bags for shirts, would have been same as these shirts.

Anonymous said...

I cant concentrate at work now, Im just thinking about how stupid and miserable I feel in these shirts.

Anonymous said...

Wow is it me or was someone color blind with these Sergeant chevrons. We look like fools with these shirts. Two different color yellow patches. I already had two citizens laughing at how stupid these shirts look. Another black eye for the County. Way to go whoever picked these shirts.

Anonymous said...

I need an OJI day, I stabbed myself in the hand with my badge trying to put it on because the badge holes were sewed together. Did anyone else have the same problem?

Anonymous said...

Top flight security, Craig!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I feel sorry for the motor officers with these black shirts. Stay hydrated guys and gals.

Anonymous said...

Dont feel sorry for me. I wrote my 20 broken winshield tickets and I was home by 1200. Motor is in the garage and Uncle Jerry is happy.
He told us if we make him look good he would take care of us.
Stop hating.

Anonymous said...

How do you fit a notepad into the shirt pockets when the pockets are too narrow? How do you get to your backup gun on your vest with the zipper? Since I don't have an aide to do my j2, I was just wondering...

Anonymous said...

do us all a favor and quit
EVerything revolves around a bunch a whinning little girls who thinks everything that is bad happens only to them.
Don't like your job. Tired of being "screwed" by those bad people in Decatur?
Quit. Go the Cobb Atlanta or what ever rock you want to climb under
Dont hide behind the bullshit" we put our life on the line" If you dont want to do that here then go somewhere else.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of zippers, how long before they tear up.

Anonymous said...

Guy,

We've recieved new M&P .40 pistols.

We've recieved new; bad ass Crown Vics. Shiny black paint and really a quality vehicle. It's actually worth driving and command presence.
(btw - you people already have the new cars smelling like straight ass - have pride in your belongings and tools. Dekalb officers, you seem like you can't get anything good because you don't know how to have good things - this is your fault. many of you have no pride in yourselves or your career, and it reflects itself in your posessions, and despite this - we still get quality tools)


We've recieved new uniforms - which are: nice.black,tactical looking, and allow you to breath.

in reference to the The chevron & patches, I do not mind spending a few dollars for a quality piece of stitching. That uniform probably cost a lot more than sewing on a couple of patches. And I am proud to do my part to help and pay for them, and I am proud to wear that quality piece of clothing.

We've got a command structure that understands that there are problems within the department (like any other PD) They may not do exactly what you want about the problems, but they acknowledge the problems.

you get to slack off...half the crap many of you clowns do here wouldn't fly somewhere else. Proactive is not even in a Dekalb policemans vocabulary...and no one will get on you for it as long as you use common sense and 10-0

we've got an awesome privelege to join specialized task groups...hell, higher ups beg, requests and constantly Ask why we do not sign up for TRT...free training, looks excellent on a resume, good connections. Yet no one wants to take advantage of what we have here.

This is not a bad place to work. are there things i would like? sure... in a county like dekalb, i would like a patrol rifle issued to me for free...i would like take home cars...i would like accessories like: sights, etc. offered to me for free because this is a profession of arms.

But complaining about the new uniforms? after we just got new cars, new guns, etc.

This is just taking it too far. In a few months , i'm confident there will be another academy. We will have the officers on the streets, we will have the manpower, we will have the tools.

all we will be lacking are officers that are dedicated to quality and production. And hopefully with a new command structure and better officials, we won't have to worry about those officers and higher ups anymore.

Show me another county Agency who has done this much for their officers... I'll tell you right now: Clayton, fulton, APD, .... they would love to have our new uniforms.. our new cars...our new guns... our lax enviroment ...

Be thankful for what you have. Provide for your family with what you signed up for. Be honorable in your profession and thinking. Hold your thoughts and state of mind submitted to your ideals. Make the best out of it, and retire Good men & women.

And stop your G0t Damn B**ching

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:58
What an IDIOT,
What new cars are you speaking of ? The cars we drive all have close to 200,000 miles on them. A good start would be Gwinnett. They provide a new take home car, all uniforms including patches and boots. Here we have to pay for alterations on pants and shirts. BTW have you been to supply to swap equipment out lately, its almost impossible. I tried to get a new radio holster because the current issued holster is crap and the straps have broken three times now. Needless to say that after an argument with the civilian working in supply, he took an old strap off a returned holster and gave it to me. I think you live in a fantasy land we have the worst and most outdated equipment around, but nice try anyway.

Anonymous said...

Who cares about the equipment or uniforms just give me a raise and ill wear anything to work. SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Whatever here-and-there issues have been mentioned about here on this blog regarding the new shirts, I personally prefer them far and above the grey ones they replace.

Now we match from top to bottom and color-coordinate with the new, all black paint scheme our cars are transitioning to.

They are lighter and breath much better. I am already noticing this and staying drier.

I'm not concerned there will be a fading problem since the pants have held up quite well.

I think we look more like police officers now rather than security guards. I've read posts where others see it differently. I simply disagree.

I guess the only negative I have is with the different patches of silver for officers and gold for supervisors and above. But, I'll get used to it. Perhaps the sgt and lt's cars ought to have gold decals rather than silver to go along with the theme.

Anyway, thanks Chief O'Brien for everything you and your staff are doing for our department. I do feel you are doing all that you can to make things better around here to improve morale, and you have done a lot already.

Anonymous said...

The number of comments here should be enough to show how the majority of the Officers can't stand these hot shirts.

Anonymous said...

Wow! I thought MY department was full of whinners?! Well, most of them DID come from DeKalb.

Anonymous said...

Hey Anonymous June 11, 2011 8:03 PM...Why don't you go to one of the precincts, or stop a police unit and say that, jackhole!