I worked from 1994 to 2010 with Mayors Linville, Knox, and Beckman, PS Directors Tittle and Boatwright; Deputy Director Wade, and City Administrator Rooks. I was an Animal Control Officer, then at Chief Tittle’s request applied for the Victim’s Advocate position. Attorney General McMasters required every jurisdiction to have an Advocate. I attended the SC Victim’s Academy and became certified. Helping a victim see the light at the end of the tunnel is worth more than a paycheck. I also went through SC State Constable’s training so I could volunteer my time at FB Festivals and holidays. Yes that was me out there working for free on all those days making sure people had fun and were safe. Then I attended the SC Law Enforcement Academy and became a National Crime Information Center instructor so I could train dispatchers and Law Enforcement officers in house to enter and receive NCIC, state DMV records, and state criminal databases. I also attendee the SCLEA and became a Class III Law Enforcement Officer. I was the trained liaison for Folly Beach at the Charleston Emergency Operations Center. I was at the EOC to relay information from FB to the EOC during hurricanes etc so that people who had evacuated would know what was going on and the EOC would get the info from the FBPS personnel about the condition of the island. I assisted the FBPS department in managing the budget. We budgeted for uniforms for 2 FBPS officers each year. Sometimes we had one leave or none leave-but we had the money in the budget. I wrote a list of all the officers that I had worked with during those years (’94-2010) and couldn’t come up with the number that have left in the last 4 years. Chief Tittle worked tirelessly on a program to hire the part-time professional firefighters from other agencies that man the Fire Department. I remember all the young people who became volunteer firefighters under Chief Tittle, Captains Harvey and Porter who are now professionals at other departments. I worked on the Charleston Centralized Dispatch and Automatic Aid panel for 3 years to come up with the best dispatch, incident reporting, and Mobile Data Terminals for each police and fire vehicle and the policy and procedures to run them. I was about ¾ through writing a CLEA Certified Law Enforcement Policies and Procedure manual-initiated by PS Director Terry Boatwright when I left. That manual was on my City computer when I left. I wrote and obtained numerous grants for FBPS. There is more but that’s enough. I was encouraged to work to the best of my abilities by all the people mentioned above. I had a “job” when I started with FB and it developed into a “profession”. Toni Connor-Rooks was always there for all of us. I saw her working nights and weekends. I saw her tap her wide network of professionals to help solve problems. I saw her financial management of Folly Beach increase the working capital. I saw her encourage personnel to explore innovative options and solutions for Folly Beach Sure there were problems and disagreements but we all worked together to do what was best for the group not the individual. The people of FB, citizen and visitor, were our main concern at all times. What would make then safe? Individual problems –crime, addiction, teenage misjudgments, etc-were our concern as a group and we worked hard to help the individuals with their problems. In my last three months at Folly Beach I was demeaned, degraded, and demoralized. I was told I wasn’t smart enough or qualified to do the jobs I had been doing. I was asked if it wasn’t time for me to retire. I was told not to speak to anyone about anything . I was told that video and audio recordings were made in the FBPS offices and would be reviewed to see if I was saying or doing anything that was derogatory. Well everyone know I’m an open book so review away. I was told I would receive a 4% raise for all my hard work and then 2 weeks later told my job was going away but I could stay if I took a 50% decrease in pay and worked as a shift dispatcher. I was presented with a list of things Brown and Goodwin wanted to accomplish and at the top of the list was get rid of me. I watched and heard Director Brown bully, demean and degrade my fellow officers. Yes the “right to work” firing threat was made repeatedly. I couldn’t for the life of me understand what Brown’s management style was accomplishing other than hate and discontent. I did file a grievance but withdrew it when I realized that if I won I would still have to work with Brown and I couldn’t lower my profession, ethical and moral standards to continue. I loved my job at Folly Beach. I had a good 16 year career with FBPS and City personnel whom I respected and truly counted at friends. I miss them and the unique wonderful City of Folly Beach.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 15:37:59 +0000