Another thing that makes me go hmmmm…
Imagine if you will a person who advocates for victims’ rights at the Police Department and a person who manages the Office for the local District Attorneys. Like in all States, there was a great professional working relationship between the police station and the district attorney’s office…..LOL.
The Advocate was in her job around two years, but was quickly informed by the Victims Advocate at the DA’s office, who was just hired about 10 minutes ago,
“WE are your boss; you have to do what WE say.”
Really? I mean Really???? Since this is a fictional story, let’s just name her the “White Buffalo”.
Back in the real world, Criminal Justice agencies are supposed to work together and sign a Memorandum of Understanding that all parties involved will work for the greater good and play nice with each other in the field.
Since this is required for States to qualify for Federal grants, everyone at least needs to act like they are trying.
There was a community grant that the police station applied and successfully obtained which involved. The District Attorneys, Police, Sheriff’s Office and the Local Domestic Violence shelter. This scenario alone proves to me that God truly has a sense of humor.
Since the Police station applied for the grant they were the ones to administer all aspects, including budget.
The time rolled around to reapply and to get all agencies on board again, for some reason unknown to the Victims Advocate, the new District Attorney sent over his office manager to DEMAND that their office get a much bigger chunk of the funding.
Moreover, the Victims Advocate is slightly naive, okay very naive. She was in a pickle for sure, because she knew her administration does not want a lowly civilian servant pissing off the All mighty DA, and she knew she would not get backing or support from them, never had.
The advocate did think to herself, since I wrote for this grant and do most of the work to stay compliant with all State and Federal Laws, and then babysit all agencies involved and listen to them constantly bitch about everything…..then She should have a say, and felt that she shouldn’t of never been put in that position. The All mighty District Attorney’s, Office Manager informed me in a very stern voice, ” If you don’t change the budget and increase $$$$$$ this much more, than the District Attorney’s Office will not sign the Memorandum Of Understanding and will write for the grant ourselves”.
The advocate was a bit taken back by the boldness and selfishness of the District Attorney’s office and paused to gather her thoughts, then quickly replied, “Knock yourself out lady, because writing for this grant is so much work and you still have to have the Police Department sign off on your Memorandum Of Understanding”. Damn, this girl knew that her phone would ring in the very near future, and bracing herself to get her ass chewed…once again. This girl is on her own for sure.
The Victim Advocate did not regret what she said, and did not back down. Needless to say, the Office Manager decided that it might just be best to leave it alone.
…….. and once again all agencies were holding hands and singing Kum Ba Yah.