Police feeling impact of war

[MaineDem]

AUGUSTA -- With three Maine State Police officers on active duty in the armed forces, seven more have received notice they may be called up soon, putting additional pressure on an already short-staffed agency.

Col. Craig Poulin, chief of the state police, said that with the force already down 11 people from its sworn contingent of 337 -- not including those serving in the armed forces -- the loss of additional troopers will be felt.

"Removing 10 people from an organization our size, there is going to be an impact," Poulin said.

The state police are not the only law enforcement agency in the state to be affected by the war in Iraq. Officers have also been called up from municipal and county forces, at a time when many agencies are reporting an increase in their calls for service.

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/883162.shtml

Multiply this by the 50 states and we have a real problem, no?

[LiberalEsto]

1. Send in the new Homeland Defense Force!

Don't worry about the cops. We're getting us a brand new secret militia.

Read more in the frightening General Discussion thread titled "Billboard on 85N...."

"blm (1000+ posts) Mon Aug-09-04 02:41 PM
Original message
Billboard on 85-N leaving SC: Volunteer for Homeland Defense Force


HOMELAND DEFENSE FORCE???????????

Since Bush is using the National Guard in Iraq and Afghanistan, you think they're trying to pump up the local militia groups? Or maybe trying to mainstream them? And for what reason? Will they be used for us or against us?

Anyone else see these billboards around?"

[lebkuchen]

2. Mississippi is hurting worse than that

The Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol will be down about 80 officers by September because of military call-ups, officials said Tuesday.

About 30 troopers on active reserve with the 1st battalion, 155th infantry in McComb, have been deployed to Camp Shelby in the past year and about 50 more are expected to leave by September, said spokesman Warren Strain.

And with a budget crunch, no money has been allocated to conduct a trooper class this year, postponing the training until next year, Strain said.

The 80 open positions can't be filled because while overseas a state trooper's position must be held open until his return from duty, Strain said.

-snip-

The personnel shortage will come as the state is beginning to see an upward trend in the number of fatalities statewide, Patrol officials said in a news release, citing MHP records.

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040804/NEWS01/408040377/1002

[elehhhhna]

3. That's not counting the "leave of absences" to WORK in Iraq--

Our town is being sued by a cop who was denied a leave of absence (too many already granted to other officers) to work for KBR/Halliburton in Iraq as a high-paid "Security Consultant".

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. It's more of a problem in rural areas

where full time police and fire personnel are minimal in numbers or not paid as well in the more populated municipalities, and therefore in the guard for the additional money.