Police Union calls Mayor an extortionist

[Conan71]

Latest on the radio this afternoon was that some TPD officers are starting to look for work elsewhere since their job security is now in question.  Sounds like the problem could take care of itself.  If the total cut needed is 4.4% from the department, certainly that would mean that a percentage of that cut is going to come out of overhead costs in adddition to salaries.  I'd take a 3 to 4% pay cut gladly if it meant the long-term survival and viability of my employer.  I sure as hell wouldn't be jumping ship to go somewhere else in an uncertain economic environment.  Actually I have taken a much larger pay cut than that this year, 18% to be exact, since a fair amount of my income is comission/bonus based.  I'd give up part of my base salary if needed/requested at any point by my employer.

What happens when Dallas starts to cut back on their PD or any other city as tax revenues flag?  Yes I understand some cities fund public safety via property taxes, personal property tax, and other methods.  When property values drop, so do tax collections. 

No I don't put my life on the line every day in my job and I do appreciate the job these guys do, but in tough economic times everyone has to tighten up and give a little.  People who work for the government need to get used to this concept instead of thinking they are entitled to job protection and income protection that the private sector doesn't have either.  If a company does not exist within its means, it will have to cease to exist at some point (Arrow Trucking, anyone?).  The same should be expected of government.  Live within its means or start identifying where cuts have to be made and positions eliminated until it can sustain itself again without incurring massive long-term debt.

No offense to the cops who participate on this forum, but the thinly veiled threats and outright hyperbole of your union representatives is really not setting well with the citizens of Tulsa, especially at a time when we are hearing more and more complaints about apathetic treatment regarding property and other non-violent crimes and a stodgy attitude about taking city property outside the city at night.

[Breadburner]

I sure as hell don't care for all the histrionic's......

[Rico]

Originally posted by DowntownNow.

"If one $67,000 officer walks, that frees up to retain about 1.5 more newly hired officers."

I like the sound of this... However seems I just read.....

Originally posted by Recyclemichael.

"The starting pay is $43,744.26.
The general city benefits package is 50% for another $21,300 (on average).

That makes $65,000. Tulsa officers also make $100 per month if they have a bachelor's degree (now required). Officers also get an annual $625 uniform allowance and $100 a month bilingual pay. There is an allowance of $50 per year to replace a wristwatch and $150 a year to replace eyeglasses."


Somehow they don't add up..

How much does a "newbie" cop cost to put on the street anyway?

[FOTD]

Seems as though some citizens elected themselves them union busters to run our city.

It's never about running a more efficient government nor lowering our expectations about what services government should provide.

Our Police deserve better than ultimatums and threats. You may be in favor of denouncing the union but you'll get a lower quality police force without their organizing and administrative skill.  Law and order come first.

[Conan71]

Seems as though some citizens elected themselves them union busters to run our city.

It's never about running a more efficient government nor lowering our expectations about what services government should provide.

Our Police deserve better than ultimatums and threats. You may be in favor of denouncing the union but you'll get a lower quality police force without their organizing and administrative skill.  Law and order come first.

I don't see this as a matter of union-busting.  Mayor Bartlet (sic) has pointed to the union contract which he intends for the city to honor.  The contract provides for layoffs.  He's stated he would like to avoid layoffs.  Bartlet (sic) walked into a total budget sh1t-storm.  No wonder why Mayor Taylor decided not to go for a renewal, you think she didn't see this coming?

There is only so much money the city can LEGALLY encumber at this point without further research or a possible vote of the people.

What would your suggestion be as to how to best deal with this? 

[FOTD]

Downtownpasttense caused that comment....he doesn't realize the great sucking sound coming from downtown itself.

Across the board cuts. The demon wasn't elected on law and order rhetoric....

States and municipalities are really starting to go broke.  Good thing
we saved Wall Street, though.

[YoungTulsan]

Maybe we could legalize bribery.  Would that bridge the pay gap?

[pmcalk]

This TulsaWorld story says the cost to the city for each police officer is $85,816 per year.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=16&articleid=20091221_11_A1_ATulsa864741&archive=yes

3.2 million dollars in budget cuts divided $85,816 per officer equals 37 officers.

Why does the police union keep claiming Mayor Bartlett wants to cut 135 jobs?

Obviously, the city isn't going to suddenly realize $85,816 for every police officer they lay off.  First of all, this is for the remainder of the fiscal year--half the salaries have already been paid.  At best, they will have to lay off two officers to get to that amount.  Second, some of that "cost" is in training provided to the officers, training that very likely has already been paid for.  Finally, you don't get a dollar-for-dollar reduction in insurance benefits simply by eliminating some of the covered employees.  I'm sure you understand that insurance rates are based on total number covered--the less people covered, the higher the rate. 


Calling the mayor an extortionist is uncalled for.  But he is setting up a false choice.  You couldn't reach the 3.4 million without some very severe pay cuts.  There are 808 officers; to reach the needed amount, you would have to cut every officers salary by over $4000.  That would amount to $700 per month for the remaining fiscal year.  How many people do you know that could absorb a $700 a month pay cut? 

I know there are not a lot of choices here.  We have no money.  What bothers me is that the mayor seems to think that the only solutions are to cut the city to the point of non functioning.  He has not looked at the possibility of finding other sources of revenue.  Any time other money is considered, the mayor says that is just a "temporary" fix.  Well, when your entire budget is based upon sales tax, everything is temporary.  You never know what the next month might bring. 

The only "long term" solution would involve a long term, consistent funding source.  Why hasn't anyone suggested adding a fee onto our water bill, similar to the one for EMSA?

[PonderInc]

I'm getting awfully tired of the TPD's whining. 

How many other City departments have been understaffed for years?  All of them?  They take cut after cut, and they don't mobilize big demonstrations, call the media, or use scare tactics.  (Although I'm starting to think it's time we line the streets with people holding signs that say: "Want to Increase Municipal Revenues? Fully Staff the Planning Department!")   

Imagine if the cops had to work in the private sector!  When companies need to make cuts, they make cuts.  You're there one day and gone the next...sometimes with little or no warning.  The executives don't spend their time fighting to keep every job, they tell management to cut expenses and figure out how to be more productive and efficient.

[patric]

Sometimes the Whirled gets it, and when they do they deserve credit.

[patric]

If the Mayor is an extortionist, then is the FOP terrorist?

[Gaspar]

The starting pay is $43,744.26.
The general city benefits package is 50% for another $21,300 (on average).

That makes $65,000. Tulsa officers also make $100 per month if they have a bachelor's degree (now required). Officers also get an annual $625 uniform allowance and $100 a month bilingual pay. There is an allowance of $50 per year to replace a wristwatch and $150 a year to replace eyeglasses.

I would like to petition my boss for $100 a month bilingual pay.  Does is specify which "lingual" they are required to speak? 

[RecycleMichael]

I would like to petition my boss for $100 a month bilingual pay.  Does is specify which "lingual" they are required to speak? 

Spanish, Vietnamese, or sign.

[Townsend]

Spanish, Vietnamese, or sign.

Vietnamese?

"Stewardess, I speak jive."

[Hoss]

Vietnamese?

"Stewardess, I speak jive."

Seriously, in that part of Tulsa...yes.  When I was just out of high school (mid 80's) I knew several Vietnamese nationals and families in that area.  Quite a few still live there.