This is the last article I will write for the HOTSHEET as your Secretary. I say that because my time is up! On February 4^th, 2010, I celebrated my 31^st  year of employment with the city of Anaheim Police Department. I can say that I have served a full 31 years of being a front line Police officer. I have served in two rewarding positions as an officer. 1. Patrol officer.  2. Traffic officer.  I am pulling the pin on July 15^th, 2011 because of two important historic reasons. First of all, it’s the day before my 60^th birthday and my motor number is 26-716. Remember my morning greeting “MOTOR 7 1 6 good morning!  Available! (On the radio to Anaheim police communications center)

I would also like to mention that in 1975 or 1976 I really started my career as a reserve police officer. The reserve program was being run under the direction of Sgt. Jerry Lemar and Officer Jim George. After completing some testing I was hired as a reserve and put through the reserve police academy at Fullerton College. Back then reserves were looked upon as scab labor. We did not get paid and were the second man in a patrol unit. Always working with a regular police officer. Only compensation we received was for meals and uniform cleaning. The officers I rode with back then taught me a lot and I owe them a lot for what I have become today – Mattis, Gentis,  Dyer & Bottolfson, I am grateful.

 My mother Geraldine Thaete (still with us 86 yrs. old) has never liked the fact her oldest child (I have six brothers and two sisters behind me) has been a police officer all this time. She didn’t like it when my brother Paul became a Police officer in Fullerton, Ca. He changed direction a few years ago and is now working as an Orange County District Attorney investigator. Mom does not say the rosary near as much now as when we were both officers.

In 1980 I was paid $9.35 an hour. I have worked for six Police Chiefs (George Tielch, Jimmie Kennedy, Joe Molloy, Randy  Gaston, Roger Baker and John Welter. The interim Chiefs were Marty Mitchell, Jimmie Kennedy and Steve Sain).

Both details that I have worked I have enjoyed immensely. The experience has given me the opportunity to meet and help people as needed. Good and bad!! I have learned that this job is an acting job. You can have fun but then again you have to be serious. Treat them with respect. Never backstab or be racist to them. It takes more facial muscles to make a frown then to smile. Remember that ladies! It is nothing more than being friendly, not a damn thing else!!The last couple of years, while working motors, I have introduced myself to all the motorist/ pedestrians I come in contact with. Something like,” I’m Officer Ed Thaete with the Anaheim Police Dept. motor detail. I’m with the special enforcement detail.” Just the brief introduction goes a long way in setting up the way that business transaction is going to go. I’ve been doing customer service long before it was invented. Welter should hire me to do that job! Especially now that I’m available!

I have been on the board of directors and executive board of the Anaheim Police Association since 1986. In the beginning days of the APA it was truly an “us against them” (management at the Police association vs. city hall) situation. Both sides had a very difficult time in trying to get labor issues moved forward. Over time and with change in Police and city hall executives and with APA leadership , I think we have and will continue to make progress in a positive manner. The Anaheim Police Association has an excellent reputation with the City manager, Mayor, council members and human resources team. Today with the present economy it is very sad how it’s ripping not only us with our recent civilian side layoffs but, as an organization, we are strictly sound. No, it’s not the greatest, but; I personally pray we do not go below 350 for a staffing level. Chief Welter and the association worked very hard to recruit to a level of 405, that we attained what seems like a few short months ago. I get hammered daily with 50 plus e mails from Peter Mitchell. They share information about other agencies layoffs, furloughs and other assorted dilemmas being faced. Our retirement system is being continually attacked and there is not a fix in sight. As a police association we are constantly monitoring what is affecting us.

One of my major accomplishments while on the executive board was helping in getting the ball rolling for 3@ 50. It was when I was at a fund raiser for then Senator Joe Dunn. At his home, his aide, Norma Cobb, came up to me and we talked about the proposal. Many months of meetings with other police association representatives along with Senator Lou Correa (then an assemblyman) did this piece of legislation become a law and is known as 3@50. I can proudly say that my work with the Association has always been for the benefit of the many, not just the one.

Well if all goes well, July 15^th, 2011 can be the end of a great journey for Ed Thaete, Motor 716.

What will I do in retirement? Same as always….chase ladies…on my motorcycle!

It’s been a pleasure to work with each and every one of you, and to call each of you “friend”.

Be careful out there. Wear your vest!

Edward Steele Thaete, Motor 716, over and out!