News and Announcements :: December 15, 2009
I want to share this story with you:
Tucson Police respond to approximately 1,000 911 calls per day. Many of these calls are unknown trouble or 911 hang-up calls.
At 1:18am on December 1, 2009, officers from Operations Division West responded to the 200 block of E. Elm St., regarding a report of a 911 hang-up from the residence. Officer Lucas Gossett a 3-YEAR VETERAN and Officer Jacy Palic a 1-YEAR VETERAN of the Tucson Police Department responded to the call not knowing what trouble they were about to encounter at the home. Upon arrival, officers found that the front door of the residence displayed signs of forced entry. Officers were able to see inside and immediately observed an armed suspect.
They identified themselves as police officers and gave him commands to drop the weapon. Two armed gunmen immediately began firing at the officers with an ASSAULT RIFLE and a HANDGUN. MULTIPLE ROUNDS were fired, all of which MISSED THE OFFICERS BY INCHES. Other ROUNDS STRUCK NEARBY HOMES. Both officers managed to take cover and keep sight of the residence as it was still unclear what had occurred there. A short time later, four armed suspects left the home and fled in a vehicle. One of the officers was able to keep track of the vehicle and provided the information to responding officers. In a collaborative effort involving the Air Support Unit, K-9 Officers, and patrol units, all of the suspects were located and apprehended a short time and distance later following a PHYSICAL STRUGGLE with officers.
Ladies and Gentlemen, THESE ARE THE VERY OFFICERS WHO NOW FACE LAYOFFS. These young people are professionals from word one and even though there is a strong possibility that these officers may be laid off in a few weeks or months, they will continue to risk their lives for our citizens. Why? Because they have taken a solemn oath to do so. It is unfortunate that our elected leaders are taking this drastic action. While we certainly want to be responsible with tax payer dollars, laying off our bravest and best is not the answer to keeping our community safe, which should be our top priority. Part of the mission of the Tucson Police Foundation is to help contribute to the safety and security of our community. I believe the following action falls within that mission.
While some cities have had to lay off officers, some have found ways to avoid this. From my perspective, the Mayor and Council should be conducting a national search to determine how other cities are avoiding layoffs and to look for creative alternatives to fund our public safety personnel. I know that when Michigan laid off 100 state troopers earlier this year, that at least half of those troopers left the state and found employment elsewhere. How many of our young officers will hang around and hope for their job back? Especially when they have received some of the best training in the profession and when other agencies, looking for experienced officers will take them with open arms. Do we want to lose officers like the above? I'm afraid by laying off our new young officers, we will lose more than we will save; the city of Tucson will have then paid for good young officers for some other community!
Read that paragraph to yourself again. We should all take a moment to send a note or call our local Mayor and Council to voice our concerns and to urge them to seek alternatives that will preclude laying off our fine public safety personnel.
In addition, the Tucson Police Department is having to make serious cuts in their budget, so deeply that it will impact our community. Please enlist your neighbors, co-workers, business owners, church members and friends to become a member of the Tucson Police Foundation. For just a $20 dollar membership you can help support the safety and welfare for our officers and our community.