Such a great article on police unions. Thank you for exploring this issue!
I have been an elected board member for our police union for the past 5 years. I really enjoy representing officers on alleged misconduct matters but the political stuff and media aspect is really challenging. I’m glad we have a media savvy union president, a great elected board and advisors.
Here’s an example of the tough spot police unions are in. Our dept is short handed. Really short handed. Sometimes to dangerous levels for patrol officers. But if the union complains too much publicly (in the media) - the police department administration has the ability to change everyone’s schedules to cover shifts. Force people come in on their time off “to meet the needs of the dept”. This is something no one wants. To be forced to work 20-30 extra hours a week. So the union would be screwing the members if that were the result of a public outcry from us.
These are things I see behind the scenes - where without that experience, I wouldn’t even realize were considerations.
Thanks so much! You're such a natural at analyzing officer-involved cases. They're fortunate to have you.
I understand your union's conundrum, and I suspect other local unions have some of the same exact issues as you're referencing. It almost seems like rank-and-file officers are being held hostage. Either shut up and take it or reap the consequences. This has got to be a tough spot to be in. Police officers shouldn't have to walk on eggshells.
From where I sit as someone looking in, unions are missing opportunities to speak out. The messaging doesn't have to be confrontational, but rather they can use the media to educate the public. Because silence is interpreted as being in agreement with the harmful messaging.
Even worse is when unions endorse candidates who are frequently critical of police. A union that endorses a candidate that, for example, publicly states policing is systemically brutal to certain groups, is not helpful to police officers.
Such a great article on police unions. Thank you for exploring this issue!
I have been an elected board member for our police union for the past 5 years. I really enjoy representing officers on alleged misconduct matters but the political stuff and media aspect is really challenging. I’m glad we have a media savvy union president, a great elected board and advisors.
Here’s an example of the tough spot police unions are in. Our dept is short handed. Really short handed. Sometimes to dangerous levels for patrol officers. But if the union complains too much publicly (in the media) - the police department administration has the ability to change everyone’s schedules to cover shifts. Force people come in on their time off “to meet the needs of the dept”. This is something no one wants. To be forced to work 20-30 extra hours a week. So the union would be screwing the members if that were the result of a public outcry from us.
These are things I see behind the scenes - where without that experience, I wouldn’t even realize were considerations.
Thanks so much! You're such a natural at analyzing officer-involved cases. They're fortunate to have you.
I understand your union's conundrum, and I suspect other local unions have some of the same exact issues as you're referencing. It almost seems like rank-and-file officers are being held hostage. Either shut up and take it or reap the consequences. This has got to be a tough spot to be in. Police officers shouldn't have to walk on eggshells.
From where I sit as someone looking in, unions are missing opportunities to speak out. The messaging doesn't have to be confrontational, but rather they can use the media to educate the public. Because silence is interpreted as being in agreement with the harmful messaging.
Even worse is when unions endorse candidates who are frequently critical of police. A union that endorses a candidate that, for example, publicly states policing is systemically brutal to certain groups, is not helpful to police officers.
It's a delicate balance, that is for certain.
Thanks for your POV. : )