Cincinnati Cops Want Extra Pay for Wearing Body Cameras

[GMDino]

(08-19-2016, 12:42 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Given I didn't read all the sub-links, but I did not see where they have demanded more pay. Lots of things can be discussed at a bargaining table.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/08/15/fop-city-pay-us-wear-body-cameras/88763906/

Quote:A lawyer for Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #69, Stephen Lazarus, sent the city a "cease and desist" letter, saying until pay for wearing the equipment has
been decided, officers shouldn't wear them. He asked that the city cease the program by Wednesday at the latest, pending the bargaining process.


"Requiring employees to wear BWCs will change several aspects of their job and regularly assigned duties," Lazarus wrote in a letter dated Aug. 11. "The adoption of of new BWC policies will also have a significant impact on the employees' wages, hours, or other terms and conditions of employment. Accordingly such changes are mandatory subjects that must be bargained to impasse with the union before they are implemented."


City Manager Harry Black fired back Monday, writing in a memo to council that as the manager of the police department he can order cameras be worn without a contract change, though he added he's hopeful the FOP will wear the cameras.


"Having a body camera program fosters transparency, allows the city to better protect the public and protects officers from frivolous and fraudulent claims," Black wrote.


In a letter to Lazarus, shared with the media, Black makes the same point and adds the union was given advance notice that cameras were coming.