For the citizens of Portsmouth Virginia:

The Portsmouth Police Department has long been the “starting point” for many police officers. Over the nearly 15 years I have been there, countless officers have come in, gone through the academy, field training and become certified police officers. Only to apply out to other local cities and get hired.

It’s great for the other cities. They get state certified police officers who require very little training and therefore cost very little to put them on the street.

The main reasons for the officers leaving? Pay. And benefits.

Basically, with 14.5 years on, I am making the same thing a new recruit walking in off the street makes. Or very little more. So with nearly 15 years of experience, what is my incentive to stay?

Listen to the radio advertisment the FOP put together. Then contact Portsmouth City Council. Let them know how you feel about paying for the training of Virginia Beach’s, Norfolk’s and other’s police officers.

Because that’s exactly what you the citizens of Portsmouth are doing. Your tax dollars being spent for the training of other city’s police officers.

Portsmouth Fraternal Order of Police – Gosport Lodge 20

[audio:http://scottsmb.com/audio/PortsmouthFOP-Decompressions.mp3]