Policing the Police

[EricKei]

they are just as capable of teh suck as anyone else.

Aye. An SC is an SC, no matter whom they happen to work for.

Any chance you were allowed to charge them retroactively for the wasted food and overworked doggies (which might very well be a breach of whatever agreement you had)?

And I second the idea of sending a politely-worded complaint to their higher-ups.

[Salesmonkey]

I would also discuss with your managers including "no show" fees for changes in travel numbers and "liability" or somesuch stuff about noncompliance on group events. The fees should be high enough to make the injured party (you) feel better about having to deal with such recreants.

[BeeMused]

That reminds me of a story that hit the press some years ago here in Germany. Part of a riot squat were put into a hotel, because the normal quarters were too small to hold all of them. These guys lived up to their name in making a riot, bothering the other guests and the staff, partying hard.
The hotel owners complained, but nothing much seemed to happen, so they made sure the press got wind of it. Ooooh lookit! Now disciplinary action was taken and the SCs in uniform got punished.

[Merriweather]

Aye. An SC is an SC, no matter whom they happen to work for.

And I second the idea of sending a politely-worded complaint to their higher-ups.

IMHO, if the event was an official police event, or if the police dept/city paid for it, or if they just made a big deal about being a "police group", then by all means, complain politely (with just the facts, ma'm) to their bosses - what they do when representing their police force/city is definitely the business of their bosses.

If, on the other hand, it was just a bunch of guys who happen to be cops, had nothing to do with the force, and didn't make a big deal of being cops (you only kinew because of paperwork or casual comment), then I don't think it's any different than if they were any other profession - being a jerk on your time off when no one really knows what you do for a living shouldn't reflect on your employer.

I lived in an area of the US with a lot of Navy bases. If a member of the Navy were in the least bit of trouble, story headlines in the local newspaper would read "Sailor arrested" or "Sailor involved in whatever". Even when off duty, in civilian clothes. Any one else, it would always say "Man arrested", etc - no mention of occupation. I always hated that.

If you are representing your employer, wearing your employer's uniform (whether military, cop or even WalMart) or are on the clock, then being a jerk concerns your employer, and they should know. But if on your own time, in your own clothes, then I don't think it's any business of your employer.

Couse, as much of jerks as these guys were, hard to believe that everyone on their force (and in their city) doesn't already know

[Phantomgrift]

That sounds awesome.
And humorous considering the dogs.
I lived in Alaska for ten years and my buddy ran a team.
Heh, little bozos would happily clear out for hours if you let them.
Few people realize the musher is there to prevent the dogs from happily wearing themselves out.

[depechemodefan]

Reminds me of times I had to give tours. Just because you called the library and got a tour, doesn't mean you can treat the tour guide like crap.

Poor puppies! At least they didn't get runned over. If the cops got runned over or injured, imagine what hype the news would promote, about the "boys in blue" being hurt-until they find out the "boys" were acting like jackasses.