King County Police Officers Guild

General Membership Meeting

May 30, 2007

RJC 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Steve Eggert – President

Ron Kierce – Secretary/Treasurer

Thad Frampton – Board Member # 1

Don Dougherty – Board Member # 2

Mark Lemoine – Board Member # 3

Mark Rorvik – Board Member # 5

J. Keller – Metro

B. Walden -  CID

S. Davis – CID

M. Brown – CID

M. Toner – Major Crimes

DB Gates – Major Crimes

T. Provenzo – CID

P. Mahlum – CID

M. Priebe-Olson – CID

J. Noss – DEU

CALLED TO ORDER:

The General Membership Meeting was called to order at 1203 hours by President, Steve Eggert.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:

The General Membership Meeting Minutes dated April 25, 2007 were distributed for review.  A motion was made by Mark Lemoine to approve the minutes as submitted.  The motion was seconded by J. Keller.  Motion passed.

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE – RETIRED KCSO SGT:

Detective Chris Young requested any monetary assistance the Guild could provide to Retired KCSO Sgt. Jerry Justis, whose 52 foot boat caught fire and sank in the Strait of Juan De Fuca.   The Board and attendees discussed the matter with input from many present.  It was decided that matters like this should be directed to the SHERIFF Fund.  The issue died due to a lack of motion.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR KCPOG MEMBERS – COURTHOUSE DEPUTY POSITIONS AND POSTING SA-II JOB ANNOUNCEMENT ON WEB SITE:

Sgt. Mark Rorvik made the Board aware that Personnel Manager, Virginia Kirk was looking for ways to provide preference to KCPOG members that applied for Courthouse Deputy positions.  The Board is very supportive in providing this opportunity to its membership.  New Legislation corrects a past problem with LEOFF II members’ ability to collect their retirement while working in another state retirement system.  LEOFF II Members are now allowed to collect and work.

Sgt. Rorvik also requested the Board consider posting the SA II job announcements on the KCPOG website.  There was no movement on this issue.  There is minimal cost associated with the proposal, however; the SA II’s are not part of our bargaining unit.  Many members present felt those KCPOG members that were interested in the SA II Position would have the necessary investigative skills to find the information they might need to apply.

VEHICLE REIMBURSEMENT – OFF DUTY JOBS:

The question of vehicle reimbursement signatures on the back of the Secondary Work Permits has arisen in regard to working Off Duty at Shoreline Community College by Don Dougherty.  It is our understanding that off duty work performed for a government entity does not require reimbursement signatures since patrol vehicle use is authorized.   Should a signature be needed for other types of off duty work, please contact Kim at the Guild office, where she has the forms on file and provides them to those signed up to work.

REWORKING THE FTO PROGRAM:

Don Dougherty inquired if anyone had any information on potential changes to the FTO program since there are many rumors on the topic.   At this point, the only thing that can be substantiated is what is being rumored about, so we will have to wait and see what, if any, changes will be made to the FTO program.

CIVIL SERVICE AND THE RULE OF FIVE:

Don Dougherty asked if the Sheriff was in the process of changing the Civil Service rules to a rule of five instead of the current rule of three.   This is not up to the Sheriff to determine; it is a mandatory subject of bargaining and has not been put on the table for negotiation.

NEW DIVISION AND NEW DIVISION CHIEF:

Don Dougherty has heard talk  that a new Division is being created by the Sheriff with Human Resources manager Virginia Kirk, being placed as its Division Chief.  The Board has heard talk of a new division but is unaware of the particulars.  A new division is worrisome because of the potential expansion of overhead costs that inevitably find there way into our contracting models.  The restructuring is also another example of the Sheriff insulating her office from accountability.

PRESIDENT’S MEMO OF EXPECTATIONS RESPONSE:

Sgt. Mark Toner asked Steve if there has been any response from the Sheriff and if Steve could clarify the meaning of the letter.  Steve has met with the Sheriff and had made her aware of the letter’s content prior to its release.  There seems to be no change with the current direction the Sheriff has taken with KCPOG.  Steve has spoken to the Sheriff numerous times and has explained the systematic breakdown with the command staff and the decisions, or lack of decision making, that persists.  Steve feels the conversations are amicable; however, there is no observable change in the way the Sheriff is operating.   Time will tell if the letter will yield any results.

As for the point of the letter, Steve communicated his desire to warn the membership of the emotionally driven and or politically driven decision making in current discipline process within the KCSO.  Discipline has been harsh, punitive and in some cases, without any basis whatsoever.  The principles of fair and progressive discipline have seemed to be ignored.  The hard working Deputies and Sergeants of the KCSO should be aware of this change so they are able to make informed choices when deciding their course of action on the street.  The Deputies and Sergeants of the KCPOG should be proud of the quality of service they provide to the citizens of King County day in and day out in spite of the vast array of politically correct philosophies and attitudes that are sought to undermine their efforts.  Keep working hard, but by all means, be safe, cautious and think about the political atmosphere that has enveloped the KCSO.

IMPROVEMENTS IN LEOFF:

Mike Klokow inquired if anything positive was happening in Olympia with the LEOFF system.  Some minor changes have tweaked our benefits slightly.  These benefit changes are a move in the right direction but only affect a very, very small amount of the LEOFF membership.  Changes are difficult because of the cost and the

Differing opinions as to what benefit changes should be emphasized first.  Our lobbyists are currently looking for other revenue sources that may assist with changing our benefits.  As for now, don’t buy the million dollar house or the new $45,000 vehicle if your old one will do!  Instead, start saving your behind off.  Deferred Comp is a good place to start.  Don’t wait, retirement will creep up and next thing you know, you’ll have to work until you’re 80.

STATUS OF NOCU 4/10 SCHEDULE to 5/2:

Jim Noss asked if there is any change.  Unfortunately, there is no status change.

CALL OUT PERSONNEL – CPOS TO WORK OFF DUTY:

DB Gates inquired if anyone knew of any ethical code or legitimate reason for the Sheriff’s Office not allowing personnel subject to call outs, to drive their CPO’s to Off Duty Jobs and activities, in order to decrease the large response time to the scene if there were a call out.    Management now requires individuals to drive home from whatever they are doing to retrieve their CPO’s.  This can obviously have a huge impact on the timeliness of the response and does not serve the community well.   No one present could come up with a reason.

ADJOURNED:

The General Membership Meeting adjourned at 1320 hrs.