Union victory
- 800 jobs
Civilianization
Local 1549 wins career
opportunities for clerical workers as NYPD saves money
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By Jane LaTour
As the graduates filed into the auditorium of the Police Academy
Aug. 26, they were on the road to achieving two milestones, personal
career victories and major progress as the newest members of Clerical-Administrative
Employees Local 1549.
Civilianization—replacing
Police Officers in clerical jobs with civilian employees - has long
been a goal for Local 1549 and DC 37. Lillian Roberts, DC 37's executive
director, stressed civilianization in "We Can Do The Work,"
the "white paper" she released in May during budget deliberations.
The detailed analysis showed that huge savings are available to
the city when clericals replace cops in non-enforcement duties.
Gloria Williams, Local 1549 Shop Steward at the Police Academy,
expressed her satisfaction with the progress: "I'm very glad
to see that they're hiring more civilians. It's about time!"
The graduates, members of the first class under the new city budget
to successfully complete the six-week PAA training program, were
welcomed to the ranks by Deputy Commissioner of Training, James
J. Fyfe. "We welcome you as full-fledged members of the Department,"
he said.
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Goals of the graduates
The ceremony marked an important personal landmark for the graduates.
Delois Locus was formerly a paraprofessional with the Board of Education.
The mother of two acknowledges that she's had a hard time in her
young life. "Now I plan to excel. There are so many opportunities
out here for growth - for me and my children."
Thea Sevastos is optimistic. A former School Crossing Guard, she
likes working with the NYPD and "meeting all kinds of people."
She sees it as another way of helping people.
Carmen Whichard is pinning her dreams for the future on her new
job. Formerly a temp, the mother of three hopes to purchase a hand-controlled
car that she can drive. Disabled at 2 by polio, Whichard used a
scooter to get around at the Police Academy. Now she looks forward
to working with the public and assuming her new responsibilities
at the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn.
The PAA students faced some daunting obstacles—returning
to school, taking many classes at the same time, and finding the
discipline to do homework at night. In her address to the graduating
class, Valedictorian Daisy Farmer, an immigrant from India, echoed
the sentiments of her fellow graduates: "I'm honored to serve
the public. I'm trying to move up."
Local 1549's goal is to have 800 new PAAs on the job and in the
union by July 1, 2003. "We are making progress toward saving
millions of dollars as well as providing these members with tremendous
opportunities," said Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez.