Nice to see our men in blue focusing on the big issues:
A police uniform is not just a set of clothes, but an emblem of authority that conveys “special powers and deference in our society” – and that means the officer should be paid for the time needed to put it on and take it off, says a federal judge in San Francisco.
This sort of petty avarice is normally reserved for hourly wage earners, not career professionals. The San Leandro police force may be getting an extra $10/day by pursuing this lawsuit, but they are degrading their profession to do so.
When Andrea Eichhorn (the police Sgt. in Florida) sued a family because she slipped and broke her kneecap during the rescue of their 1-year old, she was fired. It was unprofessional, avaricious, and embarrassing to the department. The difference between that case and our friends in San Leandro is one of degree, not kind.
But I’ll get off my high horse if the San Leandro police will defer their extra compensation until our Marines and Army soldiers get the same benefit. The military works longer hours in tougher conditions with greater danger, with no possibility of overtime pay or “dressup” pay. They do what it takes to get the job done, because their missions and professional ethics will accept no less.
For years the military has resisted unionizing, because they felt it would degrade their professionalism. The San Leandro police force should take note.
Posted by geoff 
Posted by geoff 