NCJ Number
55337
Journal
NATION'S CITIES Volume: 16 Issue: 10 Dated: (OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 17-40
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE REPORTS A SURVEY OF 98 POLICE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS NEGOTIATED BY MAJOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS WHICH INDICATES THE EXPANSION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING INTO ISSUES OF OFFICER DISCIPLINE AND TRAINING.
Abstract
A SURVEY OF POLICE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS IN 98 CITIES WITH POPULATIONS OVER 100,000 WAS FUNDED BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION (LEAA). THE SURVEY RESULTS INDICATE THAT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN POLICE UNIONS AND CITY MANAGERS ARE NO LONGER LIMITED TO ISSUES OF SALARY, PENSION, AND FRINGE BENEFITS. RATHER, EXTENSIVE BARGAINING CONCERNS BROADER ISSUES AFFECTING POLICE EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY. NEGOTIABLE MATTERS INCLUDE THE USE OF ONE-MAN PATROL CARS, INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND STRIKE PROHIBITIONS. THE GOAL IN EFFECTIVE BARGAINING IS TO FORM A CONTRACT WHICH BALANCES MANAGEMENT'S NEED FOR FLEXIBILITY IN DECISION-MAKING WITH THE EMPLOYEES' REQUIREMENTS OF JOB SECURITY AND ADEQUATE WORKING CONDITIONS. THIS BALANCING PROCESS INVOLVES CONSIDERATION OF SEVERAL INTERRELATED, CONFLICTING TOPICS, WHOSE RECONCILIATION IS REFLECTED IN THE FINAL LABOR AGREEMENT. IT IS ADVISABLE FOR MANAGEMENT TO SEEK CONTRACT PROVISIONS WHICH WILL DETER UNION CHALLENGES TO MANAGEMENT. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES WITH LIMITED TOPICS SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION PROTECTS CITY MANAGEMENT'S RIGHTS TO DECISION-MAKING, AND YET PROVIDES OFFICERS WITH A MEANS OF CALLING ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES WERE CONTAINED IN 85 PERCENT OF THE AGREEMENTS SURVEYED. THE SURVEY ALSO FOUND THAT 58 PERCENT OF THE CONTRACTS HAD REFERENCES TO POLICE DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS, FREQUENTLY WITH DETAILED PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DISCIPLINE. MOST OF THE CONTRACTS ALSO CONTAINED PROVISIONS CONCERNING SENIORITY, DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS, AND POLICE TRAINING, BUT WIDELY DIVERGED IN THE TREATMENT OF THESE TOPICS. (TWK)