To the COMMUNITY we serve: Our Police Officers, Forensic Investigators, and Detectives of Milwaukee will soon consider whether ratification of a negotiated contract is right for their families. While they contemplate the merits of the negotiated offer they will be weighing the oath they’ve taken along with the responsibility of caring for their individual families. It is the law enforcement officer that secures us in our homes while we sleep, while we celebrate the holidays, or simply enjoy the weekend – in all these times an officer has sacrificed self and family so that the community may enjoy family, friends, and a certain safety.
These fine men and women enter into a new tour of duty everyday of the year with a rarely discussed uncertainty as to if they will celebrate another day with their own family. For the service they have pledged, little is asked – fair treatment and appreciation. In the pending contract it should be noted that our officers recognize service beyond the life saving patrol and investigations they conduct daily; but rather in the case of contract ratification, sacrifice to real individual worth. Our warriors deserve more – this contract truly represents Service Before Self; let us not forget these brave men and women. This Association has often stated, although we recognize our duty to advocate first-and-foremost for our members we always do so with an absolute awareness, “it is not a product that our officers produce; rather lives which they affect to the positive.”
This pending contract represents this Associations recognition of our neighbors and the difficult times that are currently clear and present amongst us. The Association takes its mandate from our membership – our Milwaukee Police Officers. The contract is a representation of sacrifice and compromise; the contract clearly demonstrates a willingness to share sacrifice while ensuring a level of growth which will enable an absolute ability toward continuousness of service.
To the many officers that have called to express support – your Association thanks you; your community is willingly indebted to you. To those that are uncertain as to the merits, please demand clarity and vote educated. The Association will come to any work location on any shift to review your concerns. It is our goal that every member is as informed and prepared as possible prior to voting on the contract. On the day of the vote a clear briefing will be presented and a question and answer session conducted prior to each vote. Remember! At the end of the day it is your decision to make. It was our duty to fight for the best voluntary agreement obtainable while presenting it to the membership for consideration. With confidence I report we (MPA) have worked hard to garner a respectable agreement. This agreement represents protected benefits (articles) while offsetting loss and securing definable gains. This Association secured the greatest public safety percentage – rightfully so, as this Association represents the officers that face the greatest danger on a daily basis.
Your voice – your concerns matter; we stand at the ready to address concerns.
2011.09.04/ President Michael Crivello
