King County Police Officers Guild

Board of Directors Meeting

May 9, 2007

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Steve Eggert – President

Pat Bowen – Vice President

Ron Kierce – Secretary/Treasurer

Thad Frampton – Board Member # 1

Don Dougherty – Board Member # 2

Mark Lemoine – Board Member # 3

JK Pewitt – Board Member # 6

Jim Keller – Board Member #7

Jim Laing – Metro

CALLED TO ORDER:

The Board of Directors Meeting was called to order at 1610 hrs. by President Steve Eggert.    The meeting started in Executive Session to discuss an employee grievance involving termination.  The Board discussed the facts of the case and again, felt the Sheriff’s determination is in no way supported by the facts presented in the case.  A motion was made to support arbitration by Pat Bowen.  The motion was seconded by Mark Lemoine.  The Board unanimously voted to continue the grievance with arbitration.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:

The meeting minutes for April were submitted for review and posting.  The actual meeting date is incorrect and should be dated April 11, 2007.   A motion was made to approve the minutes by Mark Lemoine.  The motion was seconded by Thad Frampton and approved by all.

APPROVAL OF INCOME & EXPENSE REPORT:

The April 2007 Income and Expense report was submitted by Ron Kierce.  The report was reviewed by the Board and a motion to approve it was made by Pat Bowen.  The motion was seconded by JK Pewitt.  Motion passed by all.   It should be noted to the membership that the County was extremely late in providing the Guild the monthly check for our disability insurance premiums.  As a result, the deposit could not be made until May.  Therefore, an approximate $27,000 loss for the month is April is recorded in the Income and Expense Report.

SERGEANTS EXAM:

Inquiries have been made asking if Deputies can put in for Overtime in taking the Sergeants exam outside of their regularly scheduled work hours.  The County’s past practice is to make reasonable accommodations for Deputies that are interested in taking the exam.  Meaning, deputies should be allowed to take the exam during their normal work hours.  If that is not possible, as in the case of those on graveyard, adjusted furloughs should be provided to allow reasonable rest before taking the exam.

PRACTICE AMMO FOR DEPUTIES:

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, KCSO will provide practice ammunition on a monthly basis to KCSO deputies.  Sgt. JK Pewitt has set up a process to deliver the new ammunition throughout the department.  Unfortunately, no one from Metro showed up on the scheduled delivery day.  Jim Keller will coordinate with JK to ensure the required ammo is delivered to Metro personnel.

CHANGE IN WORK SCHEDULE FOR METRO PATROL DEPUTIES:

Metro has begun a new “trial” schedule with the second shift Metro Patrol Division.  As stated in the last meeting minutes, new furlough days have been created for one of the three squads.   This is clearly a mandatory subject of bargaining and the practice must cease and be rescinded within seven days or a ULP will be filed.

OFFICER INVOLVED INQUESTS:

The Inquest process for in-custody deaths has become over burdensome for Police Officers unfortunate to have been involved in one.  The process demands officers, their families and friends, relive very traumatic incidents, usually many months after the events and long after the coping and recovery process has started for the officers.   Inquests are largely a political show put in place for the public long after the investigation is complete and the Prosecutor’s office has decided not to proceed criminally.   We feel the current delays in the Inquest process place an undue burden on Law Enforcement personnel, with no benefit to officers.  In the coming months, the KCPOG will speak with other police unions/guilds within King County to see if arrangements can be made to demand King County hold inquests within 30 days or other systematic improvements that lessen the impact on officers.

SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE:

Don Dougherty inquired if the Board was interested in administering group or individual supplemental life insurance for our members.   Don was approached by Aflac Representative, Beth Sowers, who is related to Sgt. Steve Sowers, about any interest we may have.  Serendipity seems to be in order since KCPOG has just finished surveying our membership and talking with our disability insurance provider about the feasibility of providing additional supplemental life insurance to our membership.  The survey indicated that in general, members could purchase more life insurance at a better rate if they pursued purchasing individual policies rather than be a part of a large policy group.

Because Beth is married to one of our members, the Board was very supportive in providing Beth an opportunity to advertise on our Web Page, as we have for other members of the Law Enforcement Community.

ADJOURNED: 

The Board of Directors Meeting adjourned at 1800 hrs.