Former Jupiter police officer sues city, police department -- S...

I would suggest Banister try to join the West Palm Beach Police Department.

They need some honest cops on that force.

They have a bunch of lying bastards now who make false police reports.

Isn't that right Detective Thomas?

Your day is coming!

HE IS A WOMAN!!

It seems that the fatal flaw committed by Banister is that he resigned (and that he wasn't brave enough to complain in person, rather, he and four other officers wrote an anonymous letter to the police chief, citing complaints about their supervisor).

This is an open and shut case if he resigned on his own accord. I think he could of had a case if followed through earlier.

The Kooch wrote:

It seems that the fatal flaw committed by Banister is that he resigned (and that he wasn't brave enough to complain in person, rather, he and four other officers wrote an anonymous letter to the police chief, citing complaints about their supervisor).

3 words.... your an idi0t

Ah, looks like another whining, anonymous complainer who wants to run the Dept. after less than 5 years on the job. If he had a complaint, he should have put his name on it. I bet when he applied for a job, he told Jupiter PD he could work any shifts, any hours, because he needed a job. Now he quits to Baby Sit! Most of his colleagues raised children and didn't have a choice on shift assignments, they made the necessary adjustments to support their families. It's all about choices! And now, after he has made some bad ones, he says "It hurts" GIVE ME A BREAK! Looks like he's in the right occupation now!

What about a prestigious career as a mall cop? I think you get a walkie talkie that you can use to fight crime, it's so much fun!

Sometimes in life you find that you need to stand-up for yourself, because no one else will. This is a basic character choice and Mr. Banister sadly failed the test. Learn from this experience and move on because, Mr. Banister, you are the one who burned the bridge not the Jupiter P.D. No one respects a quitter. That is just the way it is.

The Kooch wrote:

It seems that the fatal flaw committed by Banister is that he resigned (and that he wasn't brave enough to complain in person, rather, he and four other officers wrote an anonymous letter to the police chief, citing complaints about their supervisor).

You know, there's three types of employees in a police department.
1) Those who are corrupt.
2) Those who look the other way,(corrupt or not).
3) Those who leave.
I would have to hear what his original complaint was about, but if there was more than him feeling the same way, then there was a problem.
The babysitting issue, I don't feel badly for.
EVERYONE who gets in law enforcement has to do the crappy hours, no weekends/holidays off thing until they get seniority.
Everyone has families,(hardships with babysitting), and you just have to suck it up.
It would not surprise me, though, if his previous employer,(one of the drones in employment), conveyed to his potential employer how it might not be wonderful to hire him.
HOWEVER, unless he can prove they stepped in and kept him from being hired, he may be sour grapes.
Hope he gets his day in court.

Hello wrote:

<quoted text>
You know, there's three types of employees in a police department.
1) Those who are corrupt.
2) Those who look the other way,(corrupt or not).
3) Those who leave.
I would have to hear what his original complaint was about, but if there was more than him feeling the same way, then there was a problem.
The babysitting issue, I don't feel badly for.
EVERYONE who gets in law enforcement has to do the crappy hours, no weekends/holidays off thing until they get seniority.
Everyone has families,(hardships with babysitting), and you just have to suck it up.
It would not surprise me, though, if his previous employer,(one of the drones in employment), conveyed to his potential employer how it might not be wonderful to hire him.
HOWEVER, unless he can prove they stepped in and kept him from being hired, he may be sour grapes.
Hope he gets his day in court.

So you believe that all cops are either liars or quitters? Either you were forced out of a department for being scared or you couldn't actually pass the entry exam. What do you know about Law Enforcement? Please enlighten us with your vast experience Yoda...

This guy has got to be kidding. He actually expects anyone to take him seriously?
He is going to sit there and tell everyone that with 5 years he has more experience then another officer that must have been a cop for several years, making his way thru Sergeant to night watch commander. Anything that happens on the shift, the watch commander is responsible for. I seriously doubt he is going to violate policy in front of his sergeants and officers. Most watch commanders don't even arrive on a scene until the action is over.
This guy deserves to be outta there. Give me officers with some balls and that will stand up for what they believe in and don't cower in the face of pressure.
I hope he is not working at the gate to my development.

It is very easy to fire arrows in the dark.

If you have a valid complaint then file an IA complaint.

WPB Needs Officers wrote:

I would suggest Banister try to join the West Palm Beach Police Department.
They need some honest cops on that force.
They have a bunch of lying bastards now who make false police reports.
Isn't that right Detective Thomas?
Your day is coming!

In life you don't get to pick who will be your parent(s) or boss. It is all a game. At home when you turn eighteen you can leave home. At work you have suck-it-up to collect your pay check. You pick your fights and never quit until the fight is over. Think before you open your mouth or write a letter. Turn your anger into motivation. Never slack off on your work. While you fight, you have to be a productive employee. If you lose the fight, a productive employee may win support from management. And use your union to fight for you.

I am sympathized with you, fellow officer and brother in uniforms, John Banister. Stand firm and hold your head high in your fighting to clear your name and reputation. I was in the same shoe as you are, but by the grace of God I was restored after 1.5 years out from police work. I am in my 20th year and love evey minute of it with a different police department. Stay focus and determination will enable you to overcome any obstacles in life with the help of God, Jesus Christ.

What we have here is Failure To Communicate!

For this case to work under the Statute, the letter must have been about violations of law, misconduct, discrimination etc. If it was about the Super being a jerk... NO DICE. The article sheds no light on the nature of the letter. This information could easily be found in the Complaint filed in the lawsuit... but I guess it would be too much trouble for the SS to get hold of that... LAME STORY.

Broward County LEO wrote:

I am sympathized with you, fellow officer and brother in uniforms, John Banister. Stand firm and hold your head high in your fighting to clear your name and reputation. I was in the same shoe as you are, but by the grace of God I was restored after 1.5 years out from police work. I am in my 20th year and love evey minute of it with a different police department. Stay focus and determination will enable you to overcome any obstacles in life with the help of God, Jesus Christ.

Why don't you 2 meet at the gym and cuddle in the locker room or something...

You must of applied and were denied a job with the Jupiter Police Department. I have to admit, this agency is a prestigious department to work for.

Murderer Jason Shenfeld wrote:

Jupiter PD is fast becoming a poor agency to work for. Be glad you are no longer a cop. Yet, be careful what "private security" company ahole you work for.

The officer is whining because they put him on dayshift, which forced him to quit because of child care issues. Give me a break. He could have hired a babysitter. Instead, the quitter took the easy way out.

There is a saying "If you try to stab the king, you better kill him or he will make sure you are killed."

I am sure the Jupiter LT is a total prick and probably an unfair supervisor. He's probably even incompetent, if five officers signed that letter, they knew it would cause a huge ruckus and might cost them their jobs. However, unless the boss discriminated based on race or creed, or gave unlawful orders, the cops that reported to him are screwed. I would be curious to see if the crime scene dept checked the letter for latent prints. Florida is a right to work State; the Jupiter LEO will have a huge uphill battle to win the case unless the LT was grabbing his ass. All employees are expected to handle their family issues on their own time whether that is fair or not. If it not covered by the FHLMA act then it is a non-issue. Sorry but I think the Plaintiff is going to lose this one.