A long time ago (12/16/21) I posted that I was calling it quits after 29 years and change doing the 911 thing. Now, as Paul Harvey would say, here is ”The rest of the story…”


What I didn’t publicly announce was that it wasn’t exactly my choice. I shared privately with a few folks that I was originally put on paid admin leave pending an investigation back on 4/2/21. After a very long and drawn out investigation, the Sheriff’s decision was that I should be terminated. My termination was effective 12/16/21, and for state retirement system purposes, I entered “Retired” status on 1/1/22.


I was floored, it was an unexpected outcome based on the situation and my work/disciplinary history (nothing ever more serious than a written reprimand). My Union went to bat for me through the grievance process. With the grievance filed, another long process started with an unknown outcome. I went ahead and “retired” through the State Retirement System as of 1/1/22 to have continued income and no need to immediately find a job while hoping to be reinstated.

The first step, Mediation, was a clown show where the County decides if the County acted inappropriately and (not surprisingly) the County felt the County was totally within its rights to terminate me. Again, my union came through and pushed for the binding arbitration our Contract allowed for. This was the first time in the history of the Union (45? years) that they went to the binding arbitration step.

With the world coming out of the COVID shutdown, arbitrators were in short supply. Union and County agreed to an available Arbitrator and we began the hearings in late Sept last year, finishing them in November. Final “Closing” statements from the lawyers were due end of December 2022. The County asked for and was given a delay pushing that to the end of January 2023.

We were expecting a decision in 2-3 months, but learned in May that the Arbitrator had suffered a major health issue and was unable to work while recovering. A few months later we were advised a medical complication arose during recovery and it was unknown when a full decision would be made available.

An “expedited decision” (essentially a decision but without all the supporting documentation) was offered if both sides agreed to it. Having felt we were in a strong position based on the way the hearings went, we were willing to accept the offer. The County, of course, refused as they seemed to be intent on dragging the process out as long as possible.

Finally, on Sept 25 2023, we received the Arbitrator’s ruling - the Arbitrator pulled a “Solomon” and split the baby. The most important part of the ruling was that the County did not have “Just Cause” for a termination, and I had to be reinstated. While that was a “win”, the ruling also said that I had some “culpability” and could be demoted from my Supervisor position and reassigned. Given my “culpability” the Arbitrator did not award back pay and allowances as she thought that would be “rewarding” my bad behavior. Part of what caused this to be so complicated were some very unique technical issues that, in the end, the Arbitrator still seemed to have missed. Lawyer and Union didn’t think there was much point in appealing to try and correct those issues as it would lead to another long process with little hope of changing the outcome.

While not what we had hoped for, it could have been far worse. All along my main concern and goal was two-fold and this decision resolved both of those issues.

First, getting to a full 30 years of service (instead of 29.25) would allow an “alternate” early retirement calculation that would nearly double my monthly benefit check. This different formula, accounting for COLA’s will increase my retirement payout by approx $400K assuming I live another 20 years and if I live beyond that, even more. Effectively, it will be worth even more as it will reduce my monthly 401K withdrawals, allowing it to accrue greater earnings.

Secondly, being “Retired” from the County instead of “Terminated” allows access to the fantastic retiree medical coverage ($300 annual DED, $1100 Max out of pocket for about $900/mo.) until I reach Medicare age at which point they offer the exact same coverage with their retiree Medicare Supplemental (or Advantage?) plan for about $200/mo on top of the Plan B cost.


After receiving the ruling, the lawyers went about the process of negotiating what position I would be offered as the County was adamant I was not welcome back in the Comm Center (purely a face saving issue on their part, I always had the support of my former peers and subordinates).

It was decided I would finish my career in the Records unit resulting in a pay cut of about 20% or -$10/hr compared to my previous wage. That is the “worst” of it.

Many positives in the outcome though:
- Different bargaining unit, but same union so I know they have my back if the County tries to retaliate in any way.
- It is a regular Mon-Fri day shift with holidays off. No more shift work and very little, if any, OT. Comm Center folks are grossly understaffed and averaging north of 60 hrs a week. Going back to Call Receiving/Dispatching after so long off the radio and then working 15 or more hours of OT a week would take quite a toll on me.
- NO supervisory duties/responsibilities. Don’t have to worry about anyone but myself. Far less I am expected to know, handle, or respond to.
- County provides bus pass, and being able to take the express commuter bus saves me 95 miles a day of commuting and close to $500/month in gas.
- The gas savings, vehicle wear and tear, and lower insurance cost negates a fair bit of the pay cut.
- I was put on payroll as of the date of the ruling, so already a month of “backpay” on my first day in the office.


My first day back to work was this past Wednesday. In the three days I worked this week I performed almost no “work”. I spent the time going through “New Employee” on boarding process of reading SOP, policies, and online training (cyber security, harassment, “inclusion”, and other such things). Much of this was stuff I already knew, but they have changed systems and it all has to be documented as being completed, so just plodding through it as if I was brand new.

MUCH different work environment. I currently have my own little office (with windows!). Everyone seems to work quite independently, not a lot of in-person interaction between anyone in the unit. Far less drama and clique behavior with people being in their own spaces instead of in a pack. I got ALL of my breaks and meal periods (can’t even remember the last time that happens when I was a supervisor).

The silver lining in this whole thing has been I will still have a stable and somewhat comfortable retirement, and during my “practice retirement” I was able to get back into shape (lost 150 pounds), reconnect with God, be available to care for my wife during some health issues as well as be available to care for my mother in law with dementia who we had to move into assisted living in early 2022. This extended “sabbatical” gave me a much needed reassessment and reset physically, mentally, and spiritually.


All in all, it has been a blessing and has validated some of those oft talked about “truisms”…

Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you deal with it.

Flexibility is the key to success.

Improvise, adapt, overcome.


At the very beginning of this ride, when a Sheriff’s Office Captain (with local PD Sgt. providing “cover”) knocked on my door to place me on leave, I knew I had a choice. I could be bitter and angry or I could work through the process making rational decisions while focusing on the end game. I consciously and intentionally worked to stay positive, believe in the process, prayed to God for guidance, had faith that there would be a positive outcome and did what was in my control to achieve that outcome.

That ”what was in my control” part was huge and possibly the hardest part of this to deal with. Being a “Type A” personality, spending 29 years in a busy 911 Center (25 of them as a Supervisor) I have been in “control” for a LONG time. For two and a half years, I have had very little “control” and been unable to go through life as I had for as long as I can remember. Unable to plan trips, vacations, long range goals with any certainty has been very difficult. It has been like living on “Hold” for so long, just waiting if the next phone call or email was going to essentially be life altering information.

Equally difficult has been watching the toll this has taken on my wife. I am use to stress and have always been lucky to be able to handle it well. It’s been more difficult for her and exacerbated her physical and mental health issues. I would do anything to undo that, but it can’t be undone. Time will heal though and our future is now much brighter.


In some ways I feel like I have been living a lie for the past 2+ years. Hiding that I was “FIRED” and telling people I was “Retired” while feeling like I was missing out on the honor and dignity that usually attaches to such status. Knowing in my heart I did not do what was alleged and that there was some targeting involved, but unable to clear my name and reputation. I wanted vindication and a triumphant return that was just as public as my dismissal.

I came to learn that I only needed to be honest with God, He knew my heart. I recognized my desire for vindication was prideful and realized what I wanted vs. what I deserved and needed were different things. In the end I received what was needed, justice and an important lesson in humility.

The SF “family” was extremely supportive when I announced my “retirement” so long ago. The reason I post this today is I felt that I needed to come clean with the whole ugly truth and make amends so to speak to those who I have been less than totally honest with.




It isn’t quite over, but I am in the final chapter. I will re-retire some time next year and at that point we will be in a calmer and more stable position. We can truly enjoy our retirement and do the things we want to do. I will again be able to make plans with absolute knowledge of what our schedule and finances allow. I will be in “control” again but, more importantly, I will be a better person for having gone through this ordeal.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 911Boss,

quote:

I was able to get back into shape (lost 150 pounds), reconnect with God, be available to care for my wife during some health issues as well as be available to care for my mother in law

This is absolutely the stuff that matters.

I'm glad it worked out financially for you too, but what you wrote above will make more of a difference in your life than any amount of money.

Congrats, and enjoy the ride to "real" retirement!

Finding the good in the ordeal is the right thing to do, no question. The satisfaction of being at least partially vindicated just adds to the pleasure of the “I knew it, they knew it” aspect. Glad you got this resolution and used the time to improve yourself. Best of luck sir!

Get the hell out of there as soon as possible

I'm glad it turned out well for you!

Your union handled the county well - was it Pierce? My brother has had to deal with Pierce County stupidity for a long time... However, having lived in all 3, King and Snohomish are probably just as bad.

I also wondered if there is some sort of requirement or better benefit of staying in WA after you retire? Or can you still get all the benefits living in another state?

I'm pretty sure you'd like Kansas.

I can sympathize with that. I was retired for two days - it was a Saturday and Sunday and I got sucked back into a consulting gig. M

A nice pay bump and I call my own hours.

Did you also get all your sick and vacation days reinstated?

I would make sure I took every single one before I retired if I was in your shoes.

quote:

Originally posted by wcb6092:
Did you also get all your sick and vacation days reinstated?

I would make sure I took every single one before I retired if I was in your shoes.

That's what I did when I retired. Got a Doctors note allowing me to stay home while I burned up nearly 6 months of vacation/sick leave on the books.

After 20 years working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I had enough.

Great post/update. Very grateful you were able to see this through, focusing on what is really important and best for you personally. Our continued prayer for you would be to follow through and finish your work life with the same focus and peace of mind you have been able to achieve

Sweet.
Work for 3/4 of a year, and retire.

It sounds like it worked out great for you and I'm very happy for you.

quote:

Originally posted by Dzozer:
I'm glad it turned out well for you!

Your union handled the county well - was it Pierce? My brother has had to deal with Pierce County stupidity for a long time... However, having lived in all 3, King and Snohomish are probably just as bad.

I also wondered if there is some sort of requirement or better benefit of staying in WA after you retire? Or can you still get all the benefits living in another state?

I'm pretty sure you'd like Kansas.

At this point I’ll just say it was one of those three. Back channel chatter revealed they expected to lose big but were willing to roll the dice.

The retiree medical is provided by Regence and good nationwide so it will not limit my exfil plans a few years down the road.

quote:

Originally posted by wcb6092:
Did you also get all your sick and vacation days reinstated?

I would make sure I took every single one before I retired if I was in your shoes.

Vacation and comp time balances were cashed out, when I was let go, sick time forfeited. On reinstatement, my previous sick balance was restored. With my tenure, I earn 20 hours vacation a month in addition to 8 hours sick. Between the two, 9 months of employment will equate to about 55 days worth of sick/vacation time. With a knee replacement in the process of being scheduled, I expect it will all get used.

quote:

Originally posted by BGULL:
Great post/update. Very grateful you were able to see this through, focusing on what is really important and best for you personally. Our continued prayer for you would be to follow through and finish your work life with the same focus and peace of mind you have been able to achieve

Thank you. I plan to be a model employee. The people I will be working with played no part in any of this and it wouldn’t be fair to them if I didn’t pull my weight and do my job during my time there. I am so glad the stress I have been under during this process is finally starting to fade. The relief of finally having a decision and moving on is is almost euphoric.

Quite an ordeal. Glad you weathered it. Best of luck with your new position!
FWIW: Dispatch (and Corrections Officers) are the most underappreciated people in law enforcement. Our dispatchers were in the same bargaining unit as the officers and as union president, I made every effort I could to honor their dedication.

First off, and most importantly — congrats, that has got to be quite a relief.

Second … this post reminds me of how much fluff and bullshit exists in government (and corporate, for that matter). Truly pathetic, and laughable.

I'm really glad it worked out for you. I was in a similar position that took a couple of years to work out. I settled for a 2 week suspension (to end the stress) instead of termination, after fighting forever. I later found out that the CEO was being given a 10k bonus for flipping (or terminating) every employee nearing retirement under the "old" retirement system. My fighting had saved me, literally, HALF of my retirement.

I'm glad it worked out for you. Just a few more months ad in a more relaxed environment. Thanks for sharing.

You’ll be retired in time to enjoy summer and the next phase of life. Sweet

1) Glad your seeing the positive through all this.
2) Sorry you had to go back to work, at all, in that shithole, even for the short term.

3) And most importantly, love the Grateful Dead reference.

Wowser, that's a lot! To take in.
Tumultuous encounters with an employer or three have blown me off of what I thought my course should be, in the past.

None of them turned out anywhere near as fortuitous as what you are presenting here.
Not
Even close.

But after the dust settles and new employment became real.

Two of the three time it came to be that it was a blessing.

Best wishes with fondest regards for your new assignment.

( it's amazing how all the great ,amazing stuff in a " permanent file "
Can turn so ! Insignificant , overnight. )

Wow! You’ve been through the wringer. I’m happy to hear that in the midst of that shit storm you managed to improve your health and kept a positive attitude.

Keep up the fine work. Your real retirement will be here before you know it.