When confronted with the issue of whether the nature and hazards of the job of being a law enforcement officer come into play in an interest arbitration, it is not uncommon for management to argue that rural patrol is less dangerous (through the use of crime statistics, among other things) than patrolling the streets of a City or larger municipalites.
Well, have you ever been to Massena, NY? Do you know where it is? Located far up in the North Country of New York, Massena is a Town located in St. Lawrence County literally bordering Canada. Many would argue that patrolling such a rural town is not dangerous. I beg to differ.
What is the average response time in such a County? Who do the County deputies call for back up when needed? What about the Town PD? While the NYS Troopers serve as first-responders and as back-up to both, it can often take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes before a Trooper arrives on the scene based upon where the Trooper is patrolling at the time. Does that make a difference? It certainly can. Consider this hypothetical - a deputy gets a call that there is a domestic dispute on a farm. The deputy responds to find an intoxicated male wielding a 12-gauge shotgun - a firearm that the farmer is likely quite proficient with - even through glassy eyes. As the deputy hides behind the engine block (as if there is any good place to find cover in such a situation) and calls in for back-up, the farmer is permitted to carry on unless the deputy is willing to take that potentially fatal chance all on his lonesome, i.e., one of the problems with one-man cars, until back up arrives. Could be a long time - could be too long.
Consider the recent arrest of several individuals in Massena who were running a massive drug ring out of this good ole township.
No different than a large bust downstate. There is not much of a distinction except that local municipalities are not provided with the funds or the manpower to handle such situations. Not to mention, these counties are dealing with substantial issues of homeland security and border security - not an easy task. Do they deserve wages that are comparable to some of New York's smaller cities? Some Arbitrators may see "rural patrol" as less dangerous - but as this recent happening shows - there are times when it is just as dangerous if not more dangerous.
My hat goes off to the officers who busted these dealers as well the the NYS Troopers, the BCI and the tribal police who participated substantially in the investigation. Well-done.
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