Police Show Strain From Endless Alerts

Washington Post ^ | 10/18/4 | Sari Horwitz

[SmithL]

The first call came in to the U.S. Capitol early in the morning. A Capitol Police officer was too sick to work. Soon, another officer called with the same problem. Then another. And another. By the end of the Columbus Day weekend, more than 70 officers charged with protecting Congress had called in sick.

It was the largest number of Capitol Police officers who ever had "banged in." Many of them say they really were sick -- an illness brought on by fatigue. The continual elevated terror alerts have meant weeks and weeks of 12-hour shifts, little vacation and fewer days off. When Congress decided to stay in session rather than adjourn for the holiday weekend, it was, for many, the last straw.

"The officers are extremely fatigued. They're really stressed out," said U.S. Capitol Police Officer Andy Maybo, chairman of the police union, which did not organize or support the action.

It's not just the Capitol Police. All across the country, but especially in Washington and New York, police officers and federal agents say the heightened alert and the strain of working long hours with no end in sight are taking their toll. Experts on policing, police chiefs and the officers themselves wonder whether the law enforcement agencies can sustain the current staffing levels without a general change in policy by government agencies that would provide some financial and manpower relief.

[flashbunny]

obviously the solution to this is to elect kerry so terrorism will become nothing but a mere 'nuisance'.

[sissyjane]

All I know is that my husband's department has been ordered to work 5 ten hour shifts this week and next, instead of their usual 4 ten hour shifts.
Days off and vacations cancelled. It will last at least until the election.

[endthematrix]

I'm in contract security for the US Gov't and prior to contract we had local LE provide facility protection. It isn't my town, but as a taxpayer I would be mad as heck to have town LE as contract security. They would have to work outside of their full time jobs. Some of them already have a second job. At over 40k, only the divorcees need the green! But they came in and sometimes slept. I know this because at the time we were getting qualified for firearms but working inside duties.

These cops got paid HUGE bank and as a taxpayer, I would be mad to see local cops call into work being sick or slacking protecting the municipality I'm paying them for.

[endthematrix]

Give the overtime to me.

[MJY1288]

I doubt we have had 30 nationwide alerts since 9/11, and now that the Feds are issuing targeted alerts, the strain on local LEO's has to be less.

I believe this is just another example of the WP trying to minimize the threat we face and the need for a strong leader, therefore making the case that although Kerry is a spineless worm when it comes to National Defense, we don't need a strong leader like George W. Bush

[fire_eye]

We should suggest to the Wastington Pest that the Militias will volunteer to take up the slack.

THAT ought to put the leftist cuckoos at WP instantly in orbit around Saturn, screaming with horror...

[semaj]

What the heck. Just make every law-abiding person an honorary police officer adn the problem is solved.

[Melinda]

It would have been more accurate if the author had interviewed some of the "sick" instead of taking one person's explanation. Go to the source before weaving a conclusion.