Maricopa Lodge 5 Bargaining Unit News

In May of 2010, an FOPALC member, a Sergeant, was disciplined for failing to properly log seized property into evidence.  The Sergeant had taken a discarded tire-jack from an abandoned drug-runner truck and placed it in a Department patrol vehicle for emergency use.  The Sergeant accepted full responsibility for his failure to properly log the abandoned tire-jack into evidence, and was willing to accept appropriate discipline.  However, the discipline administered was a demotion from Sergeant to Officer, which was disproportionately severe to the offense. 

Accordingly, the FOPALC attorney, Neil Landeen of the law firm of Yen, Pilch, Komadina, & Flemming, represented him throughout the investigation and disciplinary proceedings, as well as the demotion appeal hearing.  Neil was able to gather, via use of Arizona public records law, several examples of other employees who had been found to have violated the same policies, or who had committed much more egregious acts, yet they had been disciplined minimally.  The demotion appeal hearing was held before the City Merit System Protection Board.  At the hearing, Neil argued, among other things, that in demoting the Sergeant, the City had failed to administer discipline in a fair, impartial, and consistent manner.  At the conclusion of the hearing, the Board voted unanimously that the decision to demote was not made in good faith for cause, and that the Sergeant should be reinstated to the rank of Sergeant and given back pay.

Please join us for our membership meetings at the Lodge

Maricopa Lodge Five Meetings:

Where: FOP Lodge 12851 N. 19 Avenue, Phoenix, AZ

When: 7 p.m. - Fourth Tuesday of each month. Lodge opens at 6:30 PM Meeting at 7 PM
 

Collective Bargaining for Public Safety Employees

The right to bargain collectively over hours, wages, and working conditions is enjoyed by virtually all employees in the United States. Yet this basic right is still denied to law enforcement officers and other public safety employees across the country. The FOP strongly supports H.R. 413/S. 1611, the "Public Safety Officers' Employer-Employee Cooperation Act," which would finally recognize the right of these employees to bargain collectively for improved working conditions while fostering a better relationship with their employers.

Arizona F.O.P Endorses Senator McCain

McCain called “a leader of integrity, character and courage”

PHOENIX, AZ. – In a unanimous vote, the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police has endorsed Senator John McCain in his 2010 reelection bid.  The announcement was made during today’s annual statewide meeting at F.O.P. Lodge 2 in north Phoenix.