Hazardous Duty Pay

Our Police Department is a remodeled building, not really designed for all the computer and radio equipment. The rumor is that the City is going to build a new Police department in 3 years. Since our new Chief took office he has been trying to make some small improvements with fresh paint and rearranging offices. This week was Dispatch's turn.

After much discussion and freckling one wall with paint samples we came up with a color scheme. Tuesday was paint day. Chief and LT were in charge of this detail. They came to work that morning ready to paint but each with their own idea of the order things needed to be done in. There were a few stressful moments but overall, the day went pretty good.... I think they are growing quite weary of painting, but our room is the last to get painted...

Yesterday was 'move-equipment-day'. About the only way to describe this is like trying to play twister while moving a heavy piece of awkward furniture. Lt was on the floor keeping the wires straight while pushing on one end of the desk. I was straddling LT, lifting up on the middle section of the desk. Chief was on the other side lifting that corner trying not to get squished into the wall. And the Dispatch Supervisor was on the other end of the L shaped desk. We moved forward 2 inches and then back 1 inch because a cord would get caught on something. Up 2, back 1. Up 2, back 1. Hold this wire, move that cord. Lift here, lift there.

Lt started the morning untangling the massive unorganized braid of wiring and electrical cords.... I think he was having a religious experience because he kept shouting, "J.C!"...

Just to give you an idea of what is in Dispatch. 3 computer with their own monitors, key boards, and printers. 1 tv, DVD player, 3 alarm panels, a monitor with cameras so I can watch all the 'goings-on' in and outside the building. 2 phones, an intercom, police scanner, a box so I can activate the tornado siren. A large radio console and 3 huge base units for 800 mhz. Not to mention all the phone books, user manual and emergency medical books for assistance in answering 911. All this stuff sits on a large customized counter..... Whew! now on to the rest of the story....

I was sitting in my chair trying to occupy myself until moving time. Lt was under the desk, consumed with his spiritual encounter. The tv was off and radio land was quiet. A small 'Pffffff' broke the silence. It took a few seconds for my brain to compute. Eyebrow cocked, I turned my head toward the direction of LT. There he sat, grin on his face, "Oh, by the way, I ate jalapeno eggs last night." ... deep breath, "LT!!!!" I shout.

We are deep in discussion of LT's omissions when Chief walks in. Chief catches onto the conversation and says, "I had black beans for dinner." I huff and puff, "For crying out loud. I want hazardous duty pay!!"

Thankfully the Supervisor brought in a candle for me to burn.