“Pension Reform” Results in Mass Exodus from SJPD

By Sgt. John Robb

Over the last 10 years, the pressures on middle class families have greatly increased. The banking crisis, housing market collapse and recent economic problems in Europe have all contributed to a stagnant economy.  This stagnation has forced many Americans to make hard economic decisions as they compete in an American economy where 99% of working class families continue to struggle.

Like most middle class Americans, police officers are not immune from the rising costs of food, gasoline, and children’s clothing. These rising costs have forced San Jose officers to make difficult employment decisions to provide for their families. Consequently, in the City of San Jose, officers continue to resign at a record pace as private sector and other police departments continue to offer better wages and benefits.

Leadership 101

By Lieutenant Paul Francois


Let me begin by stating that I believe Pension Modification is needed immediately. And every cop and POA Director I know agrees. We need to modify the system (in a legal manner) so that it remains affordable and able to provide for the hard working men and women in public safety now and well into the future.


Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July Holiday!

Protect San Jose will be blogcationing for the next couple of weeks. During this time we will be performing necessary server maintenance. As a result the site may be unavailable for brief periods. Enjoy your July.


Nation watches as San Jose voters dismantle benefits for public employees

Five reasons why “pension reform” is a TERRIBLE idea

By Elisabeth Parker

As California goes, so goes the nation
– author unknown

As a conservative friend of liberal blogger Justin Rosario asked, “Why should public sector jobs be better than private sector jobs?” San Jose voters apparently asked the same question, while casting their ballots for Mayor Chuck Reed’s Measure B, which drastically reduces benefits for our public employees. The question we REALLY should be asking is, “Why have private sector jobs gotten so much worse?” Within many of our living memories, the majority of U.S. workers enjoyed secure employment and generous benefits, including pensions or 401K matching, medical/visual/dental, paid holidays, and vacation time. We forget that back when today’s retiring police, fire fighters, teachers, and other public employees launched their careers, they sacrificed the significantly higher wages then offered by the private sector to follow their calling to serve.

Where are Our Officers Disappearing To?

Protect San Jose has been telling you for quite sometime that Mayor Reed's misguided, though politically popular, demagoguery towards public sector employees is imploding the San Jose Police Department. During his tenure at City Hall the SJPD has shrunk by 25%. Every week we are learning of additional officers that are leaving SJPD for better opportunities with other cities.

"There is no way in good conscience that I could recommend your department to anyone..."

 

Due to the dramatic increase in resignations from SJPD, and an awareness that it is impossible for San Jose to train enough officers to compensate for these loses and keep residents safe, the department is making a desperate attempt to hire laterals (already trained officers currently working for other agencies).  

Nearly 100 SJPD Resignations--a Model for Other Cities to Follow?!

By Sgt. John Robb

In the City of San Jose, the issue of pension reform became quite contentious over the last 18 months.  The story has been covered in local papers and the national media.   City officials and elected leaders argued that pension reform needed to occur and opted for the ballot box nuclear option rather than a solution involving the unions.  But did city leaders tell the whole truth?

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