They have painted a false picture and will continue to play that out as this being an action against a bad employee who is an embarrassment to the Department. Anyone who knows Sgt McLallen knows this is false. Certainly anyone who is close to the actual facts of this case knows this to be a fabrication of events designed with one purpose in mind. In fact Sgt McLallen’s past disciplinary history is minimal for his years of service and contains no major actions. His work history and performance ratings have consistently been outstanding. He is an admired and respected sergeant in his department. He is looked on by his peers as being a leader. So in fact what we really have is a picture of a bad administration that has set out to destroy the Lodge President and with it the Lodge.

The extremes that they have gone to in developing internal charges based on what will be proven to be false testimony, fantasy, distortion of fact, and selective use of history speaks volumes to the shameful manner in which this was done, and will shock the conscience of any reasonable person reviewing the way in which this was prosecuted.  These undeniable acts of union busting through retaliation will eventually find their way into Federal court.  This contemptible act of retaliation against the Lodge and its leadership will not go un-challenged. This is headed to a lawsuit. Intent to sue will be filed this week encompassing retaliation, wrongful termination, violations of protected speech, and 14th amendment rights resulting in financial loss and emotional pain and distress.

It is in that venue that the truth will come out, and those who gave false testimony or manufactured an incident that did not happen will have to repeat that under oath in the face of the truth. They have too many loose ends that cannot be gathered in, and too many individuals that can sink their ship who will testify.  How those who fabricated this event and how anyone who offered false testimony in this case will respond under oath may well seal their fate. Do they want to face that? Only time will tell. 

As you know lawsuits take months if not years to resolve. The Colorado FOP, FOP Lodge 7, and Sgt McLallen are committed to see this through to its final conclusion. You can be assured we will use every venue available to us to fight this arrogant act, and any others that may follow. This is a long term battle both in the legal arena and the political arena. We will prevail in both.

The Lodge President is doing just fine considering the circumstances. He knew they were moving to do this to him and both he and his family have been taking the necessary steps to prepare for it. Sgt McLallen knew the risks involved. Lodge President McLallen is handling this event with courage and resolve. He is a leader of strong morale character and a belief in his profession and in fighting for the basic rights of those who work in it. He did not shy away from what is right. As a result he has been attacked, but he has not been beaten. He knows he will be vindicated in the long run, and what they did to him will be exposed for all to see.

The Fraternal Order of Police is paying the costs of the legal action, and that will not change.  Sgt McLallen has been approached with employment offers from two other law enforcement agencies since this issue became public.  That will provide income in his chosen profession.  However, the entry pay for either is less than the position he held in Pueblo.  As a result the family will need assistance to make up the difference in income.  We have already received offers of donations from various FOP Lodges around the state, and also from other Colorado labor organizations.  Those will continue to grow.  Word of this atrocious act is spreading to FOP lodges around the country and donations will eventually come in from out of state. The Pueblo Sheriff’s Employees’ Lodge 7 is in the process of setting up a bank account as a support fund into which donations can be made to help Sgt McLallen and his family make ends meet while this long battle is fought.

Management that rules by fear can only preserve itself through ironhanded measures that continue a downward spiral. Management that must demand the respect of its workforce through fear does so because it cannot earn it. In the face of all that, the membership has held the line. Morale in the Pueblo Sheriff’s Office is at rock bottom. It is the lowest it has been in many years. Yet the employees come to work everyday and have not lost sight of the people they really serve; the citizens of Pueblo County. Why? Because they are dedicated professionals and they understand elected officials come and go, but their job is to serve and protect. Politicians can and will be replaced; but what keeps the ship afloat are the true professionals.

The membership and its elected leadership knew this road would not be easy. What has happened to the Lodge 7 President is a testimony to that, but in the long run they will persevere, and someday in the not too distant future they will gain that which they so desperately seek. The citizens of Pueblo County have a long and admirable labor history and they traditionally do not look kindly on acts that would deny employees a voice in their workplace. Something that has been ignored by the Sheriff and those involved in this action. At some point the community will have the opportunity to weigh in on what has been done there.

A Level of Commitment and Need

We are FOP and very proud to be part of Colorado’s and this nation’s largest representative law enforcement labor organization.  We are also very proud of our department and the professional quality of service given daily by the men & women who serve the citizens of this county as their law enforcement officers.  The level of dedication by these proud professionals is un-matched.  Pueblo County is proud of these employees and so is the Fraternal Order of Police.

Having said that, it must be understood that these professionals serve in an archaic system that denies them a legitimate and equal voice in their working conditions in their workplace.  A much needed and necessary voice.  The playing field on matters of working conditions is not level.  That is not a criticism of the current Sheriff or his administration.  It is a criticism of a system that for years has needed change.  

As such we feel it is essential that we have a voice, and the right to weigh in on decisions concerning our safety as well as the safety of the citizens we serve. That is why this change is needed. It is why the large majority of your deputies support change and why we believe the citizens of Pueblo County will also support a system of collective bargaining that brings about that change. 
 

The denial of a representative voice has been the source of many serious problems over the years.  It is important that Sheriff’s Deputies be heard. We are the ones who daily are directly involved in service delivery and the safety of this community.  We are the first responders.  We have the daily working experience and street level knowledge of what community security entails.  Our jobs involve the public safety and our citizens' welfare on a daily basis.  For that and other reasons we believe it is paramount that a system of representation be in place to give us a voice. 

Law enforcement officers in large numbers, both in Colorado and across this country, have gained or seek to gain this right.  This system of fairness is in place in numerous jurisdictions across the country, including eleven police departments and one Sheriff's department in Colorado.  For those entities it is a normal and accepted way of doing business.  History has demonstrated that the system works quite well, and that both sides benefit from it.  For current information on this matter in Pueblo County visit our Labor Relations page on this website. 

Honor & Commiment     

As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppressions or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional Rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.  I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others.  Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life.  I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land. 

Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again.  Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always, even death itself. The question remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for? What is worth living for?