As it happens, just yesterday my local union scored a major victory in our district court. 4 years ago the union and the city negotiated a guaranteed benefit retirement deal. In Nebraska, 1st class cities retirements are defined by state law as basically a 401K. No guarantees at all. So we negotiated and, once everyone signed on the dotted line, and after we had given major concessions to get the defined benefit retirement, the city said "whoa, wait, state law says we CAN'T give you this wonderful thing! We want to, but our hands are tied, sorry!" So we sued and yesterday we WON. It's not much, 55% after 25 years of service, but it's finally a guarantee. No doubt all the other PD's in 1st class cities in Nebraska will be using ours as a model now!

Kurt, be cautious with your excitement; ours was "guaranteed" in a contract as well. They want to cut our pay by 2% across the board for a total cut of 3.3 million because they supposedly have a "budget shortage". Right after they said that they put in a new fountain downtown that costs the city over 3 million dollars.

The forum cop bashers are out in full force tonight! Must be a full moon!

Yeah, I locked the one (quoting you) where the guy said all Cops are crooked. What a bunch of maroons!

All you Midwest LEO's working this freaking Ice and Snow storm be Safe!! This shit is dangerous. I don't miss standing out in the freezing weather at all. It's nice and toasty working at Home Depot.

I worked the street my entire 30 year career with the vast majority working nights and in K9. I enjoyed working outside even when it was cold. Actually I preferred the cold. I went outside the other day at home when it was about 20 degrees with a wind blowing and went back in telling my wife I'm real glad I don't have to do this anymore. I'm training dogs for a federal agency now as a contractor and the feds don't work outside in bad weather very often. Sweet.
Anyone here in K9 or worked K9?

Hey guys, booked my hotel in Maggie Valley, NC for April 23-26 (Saturday - Tuesday). The Florida Crew is heading up that week. If anyone is interested in meeting out there, let me know.

VaRider,

K9 handler as a LEO, now doing it as a contractor for Dept of State in Iraq.

AzDeserttroll,
I assume you are from AZ? I just came back from there doing some K9 training out at the Proving Grounds for some military handlers.
I've been asked by a pvt company to go to Iraq in May for them to do some work. I haven't said no as of yet but not sure I'll do it.

VaRider,
I am an Az transplant from Calif where I did my LEO work. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have questions about working in Iraq, I have been there since Feb '08 and more than happy to pass on whatever I can to help you out.