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King County Police Officers Guild Board of Directors Meeting September 12, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Eggert – President Pat Bowen – Vice President Ron Kierce – Sec/Treasurer Thad Frampton – Board Member # 1 Don Dougherty – Board Member # 2 Mark Lemoine – Board Member # 3 Marcus Williams – Board Member # 4 Mark Rorvik – Board Member # 5 JK Pewitt – Board Member # 6 K. Wills – Shop Steward – ARFF T. Boe – Pct. 2 P. Butschli – HDQ L. Shook – Pct 3
CALLED TO ORDER: The Board of Directors Meeting was called to order at 1600 hrs by President Steve Eggert.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Everyone – everywhere was on vacation in August – thus no Board Meeting took place which leaves us with no minutes to approve!
APPROVAL OF INCOME & EXPENSE REPORT: Ron Kierce submitted the Income and Expense reports for the months of June, July and August 2007. The reports were reviewed with a fine tooth comb. A motion was made by Pat Bowen to approve the Income and Expense reports as submitted. The motion was seconded by Marcus Williams. Motion passed. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: The PAC interviewed Candidate Chris Eggen, running for Shoreline City Council, Position 2 and John James, running for Sammamish City Council, Position 4. Both candidates interviewed well and seemed supportive of KCSO and the police community. The PAC recommended that both names be forwarded to the general membership for discussion and possible endorsement at the September General Membership Meeting. A motion was made by Mark Lemoine and seconded by Pat Bowen to move the candidates forward to the General Membership. PRESENTATION FOR PROPOSED CHANGE IN THE FTO PROGRAM: FTO Coordinator Pat Butschli and Deputies Lon Shook, Ted Boe and Tom Liu were invited to discuss proposed changes in the current FTO program. Pat informed the Board the proposed changes in the current FTO Program have nothing to do with the current quality of our FTO’s. Most are very hard working and committed trainers that have been doing their utmost to have a successful FTO program.
Pat said the proposed changes are spurred on by a change in the personnel we are now hiring. Most of those are part of the X or Y generation and have grown up with a different culture and different learning styles than the “old guard.” The current San Jose model that was developed in the 1960’s and implemented in the 1970’s relies on a learning theory of behavior modification. The new FTO program that is being explored is based on a problem based learning theory. Many feel the newer generations will respond (learn) better to this style of learning. The goal of a new program is to boost retention rates and draw in more experienced Deputies to the training program. In order to attract 10 – 25 year veteran Deputies, there is a proposal to boost incentive pay for FTO’s. The FTO Committee told the Board they are hoping for a 3 % FTO premium for the first year of training, 6% for years two through four, and 9% for over four years. Other changes include a program a phase out of the current MPO designation, no traditional Phase 3 as part of the training program and the addition of three training Sergeants at each precinct who will received a 6% premium. The proposed Reno training model also calls for a Board of Evaluators that annually review the performance for FTO’s to determine if they are up to par. The Board typically would consist of trainers and administrators. Documentation and progressive discipline will be used to remove FTO’s that are not performing up to standards. Current MPO’s, FTO’s would be encouraged to apply for new positions. The mentioned proposal is by no means all inclusive but rather a brief overview of what was presented to the Board. Further inquiries should be directed to the FTO coordinator and /or FTO committee. It is important to know that almost all the “proposed” changes to the current FTO program are mandatory subjects of bargaining. We will keep the membership informed of any negotiated changes. EXECUTIVE SESSION: The KCPOG Board met in executive session on the advice of our legal counsel to review and discuss a past decision to proceed with arbitration on a termination case. Evidence that was not previously reviewed by the KCPOG Board and a full evaluation by our legal counsel prompted the Board to withdraw its earlier decision to proceed with arbitration. CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS: As many of you are aware, contract negotiations have not been held since May of this year, when the County announced the arrival of an additional labor attorney. This caused the remaining dates to be cancelled and new dates to be scheduled. There are many issues that must be resolved before negotiations resume. One of which, is the withdrawal of Rick Hayes as the lead negotiator. Negotiations hopefully will resume in late October. EXECUTIVE MEETING WITH SHERIFF RAHR: Steve, Pat, and Ron met with Sheriff Rahr last week in an effort to keep the lines of communication open between the Sheriff and her workforce. The Sheriff informed the Executive Board that she was releasing an eight page document that attempts to outline a timeline of events surrounding the recent Sergeant’s test. The timeline was put together by Suzie Slonecker of the Prosecutor’s Office, Virginia Kirk and Patty Shelledy. The Sheriff did not have copies of the document but said it will be available soon. The Sheriff also advised that a new Sergeants selection process was in the works. The Executive Board advised the Sheriff of the existing Unfair Labor Practice that has been filed over the last testing process and of a Demand to Bargain over any future testing process. Time will tell if the Sheriff disregards those demands and continues with the new process. The Sheriff was also informed of another Unfair Labor Practice on the restructuring of the Meth Lab Team. At least three sergeants on the existing team were sent emails from the Special Operations Chain of Command instructing them to turn in their lab equipment because that they were being removed from the team. There are a host of issues that the ULP will address that concern seniority, pay premiums, effects, lab team only pay designation, etc. The Sheriff asked for a week to try and clear up the matter before KCPOG files the ULP. METRO OT FOR METRO EMPLOYEES ONLY: Don Dougherty asked the Board if recent Overtime in the Metro Division was available for all KCSO deputies. The Board was unaware of the particulars of the OT, but felt in general, OT at Metro should be available to Metro Deputies first as is overtime at the respective precincts. The OT may also require specific training that other KCSO deputies may not have. AR-15 REQUIREMENT FOR ASAP TEAM MEMBERS: Don Dougherty asked if the AR-15 was a requirement for ASAP Team members and if so, should they get ammo issued by the Department. Sgt. JK Pewitt informed the Board that the AR-15 is not a requirement and ammunition is given to AR-15 qualified personnel when they qualify. The current handgun ammo that is given to deputies is a negotiated item as opposed to the current status of AR-15 Ammunition. FILLING MPO VACANCIES: Don Dougherty asked if there is a policy on filling MPO vacancies with existing MPO’s especially if MPO Transfers are within the same Precinct. Most precincts require an application and interview even if the MPO spot is within the same Precinct, i.e, Unincorporated King County to a contract city or vice versa. If an MPO opening / transfer is for another shift in the same Precinct Jurisdiction, no interview process should be needed. Are MPO slots being downsized without bargaining? Don has noticed that there has been a downsizing of MPO spots, most noticeable on dayshift at the various precincts. He asked if the County can downsize the current size of the MPO contingent without bargaining. The County would have to bargain over the downsizing of the original amount of MPO positions that were agreed to, which was approximately 26. We now have more than the original amount with the additions of contract cities. CIVILIAN CONTRACTOR TO INVESTIGATE COLD CASES: JK advised the Board that he was informed that a civil contractor was about to be assigned a position with Major Crimes to investigate cold cases. This is a skimming issue and can result in an Unfair Labor Practice NOTE: Since the BOD meeting has taken place, the Guild has been informed that this move has not taken place and is not being considered. DOUBLING SHERIFF’S EXEMPT POSITIONS: JK has learned that the Sheriff has proposed to double the current exempt positions within KCSO. If the King County Council approves this proposal, the KCPOG feels it is an irresponsible fiscal decision that could possibly impact KCSO’s overhead, thus increasing our contract city costs. We will have to wait and see. MANDATORY O/T SIGN UP FOR DEPUTIES: Steve informed the Board that he has spoken with the Sergeants at Pct 3 and has worked out the current status of the mandatory OT sign up for Pct. 3 Deputies. Involuntarily mandated OT will apply to involuntary hours worked immediately before shift as well as after. ADJOURNED: The Board of Directors Meeting adjourned at 1800 hrs. |