Honor Police Officers for Their Many Years of Service
Honoring Lt. Jim Freeland
I would like an explanation as to how a Powder Springs Police Lieutenant serves our community for almost 25 years, then leaves our community police force after an on the job incident with a criminal without so much as a thank you luncheon.
When a police officer retires or leaves the force, he or she is given a symbol of thanks of a retired badge, a service revolver, a plague, maybe lunch or dinner with the men and women that the officer has worked with and trusted throughout those years of being on the police force.
Recently Jim was told that no, the Powder Springs Police Department could not afford a simple show of thanks.
Now this is my personal feelings but didn't we just get that beautiful new police department in the middle of town? And didn't we just get a new police chief from far away in another state and gave the guy a $10,000 moving bonus to come to our community?
I heard that the temp chief was a good man and perfect for the job. I also believe there was over 65 applicants to submit applications to be our local community Police Chief. Was no one qualified in the Cobb County area?
Lt. Jim Freeland has served our community for many years. He was hurt in the arrest of...maybe you'll remember the BP gas station downtown, and the bubblegum bandit. The guy who was arrested was hopped up on drugs. The guy tried to steal gum from the store at the BP.
The owner of the BP tried to stop the guy and the owner wound up broken bones when he who was run over by the thief in the attempt to stop this drug crazed thief.
Lt. Freeland did apprehend the suspect but sustained back and facial injuries. Jim Freeland wound up disabled and unable to do the job he loved and the source of income for his wife, Lois and the four children, Brady Bunch style family they have created in Powder Springs.
Understanding more about Lt. Jim Freeland
He helped to create Powder Springs Police Department‘s first canine unit when he borrowed his wife's pet, a dog that was trained in multiple different types of drug searches. The dogs must be trained in detecting for drugs in cars, houses, buildings in the area.
Jim began the Powder Springs Police mounted horse unit. The horses also must go through rigid, structured training with the officers. The horses are used in crowd control and on the Silver Comet trail where they are used to be ready for action if a need arises.
Jim was very involved in coaching baseball to many of our kids in town. He was a Kiwanis, I'm not sure what a Kiwanis does but if Jim is involved you know it has to be good.
So as the years have passed and the Powder Springs Police Department brings in new officers from the academy's, I think Jim got a pat on the back and a see ya round! No badge, no service revolver, no plaque saying "to a fine officer of the Powder Springs Police Department, many thanks from the people of Powder Springs for your many years of service."
Not even a burger and some fries for getting up and going into work days or night shift when the trouble really begins while your sleeping safely in your beds. This could be about any of our Powder Springs Police Department. They are dedicated men and woman going out there doing their job. Thanks is the least we can say!
Please if you think that Lt. Jim should get a small or even a large farewell for the service he has given to all of us contact Terri Foschini at
Lois his beautiful wife at
Please help us fix this sad farewell by showing your support for our friend Lt. Jim Freeland and the others who come and go after him.
William
7:35 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011
It's sad that the citizens have to bring to the attention of city hall that an employee that has faithfully served this community for over 25 years. To snub Lt. Freeland who has protected and served Powder Springs is a slap in the face. Money should have been set to at least give the man a luncheon. To say there isn't enough money is hogwash, given the money spent to aquire Chief Sewell. How about the mayor or city council members giving back some pay? Why not use some money from the sale of the two motor units? Why not ask police department employee's to kick in some money-something I'm sure they wouldn't mind doing. The employee's have little enough benefits to begin with and to know city hall does not even care to honor their service after 25 years, why continue to stay with them.
Recently some ladies from the police department were honor by the South Cobb Chamber of Commerce for their service to the city. At no time did I see the mayor talk to or thank these women. I wonder how that made them feel? The previous mayor Brad Hulsey did talk to them and had his picture made with them, while the current mayor couldn't even show up on time. This seems to be a consistent problem for Mayor Vaughn, thanking the employee's for a job well done. While it is not a requirement to thank your employee's, its the least you can do. Mayor Vaughn and city hall officials should do what is right and honor Lt. Freeland for his outstanding service to our community!
Bulldogs
10:43 pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2011
I totally agree !! That is so sad after 25 years of service considering the city probably spent more on the announcement party for his replacement then it would have cost the city for his badge and service pistol.......just shows what's important!
Bulldogs
10:56 pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The only time the officials do anything is at ELECTION TIME!!!! This is very sad, know who you vote for people because every vote counts! I believe someone said it best in a comment I seen about the election...."Let's clean house and give someone else a try that hasn't had a position of power". Maybe we might actually get someone in there who truly cares about the employees, citizens an the city. We need it and the employees sure deserve it considering they haven't had a raise in I believe over 4 years! What do you think this does for morale?
Chris N Cheri Brown
7:24 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
I worked with Jim for many years and he deserved a retirement party. The city does not care about their employees any more! You can hire a new chief and decorate a new police department, but the real problem is the politicians.
I had breast cancer while I worked at the police department in 2009, and they laid me off during my fourth treatment. I am better now, no thanks to the city, unemployed and battling breast cancer. Enough is enough!! It time for new politicians to be in charge. Jim I pray you and your family will find peace in your life after Powder Springs, all I ever wanted was to be a Powder Springs Police Officer and being one of the first explorers, I thought I too would retire from the city one day..
lois freeland
11:12 pm on Saturday, November 5, 2011
Thanks so much Cheri. I am so happy to hear you're doing better. What a shock when I heard about your cancer. What a bigger shock when I heard what the department did to you. I remember when you started how we too thought you would retire someday from PSPD. Jim was honored to work with you and we were blessed to have you and your family in our lives. Thanks again so much.
Mike
8:34 am on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
I guess the City is just going to let this whole thing slip away without addressing it. It's a shame that there isn't one person on the city council with the integrity to just do the right thing.
The city already owns the badge and has several spare pistols. it wouldn't cost them a dime to present them to Jim. To give so many years to the city and not even get a paper certificate of service is absoloutly shameful.