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Attorney: Police Take-Home Vehicle Benefit Is Illegal
Tulsa police officers are allowed in their union contract to do so. The contract was negotiated earlier this year between the Fraternal Order of Police and the City of Tulsa. But, a city ordinance outlaws the practice.
The question now is which agreement wins out?
Councilor Bill Martinson says the ordinance is clear. Police officers can take their cars home -- but only if they live within the city limits of Tulsa.
"I think what's really disturbing, the laws apply to everybody except the FOP," Martinson says. "And I find that very disturbing as a citizen of Tulsa."
There was an exception granted a couple of years ago that allowed police to take cars home outside city limits. But, that exemption expired June 30th of 2008. In this year's union contract, it states police officers "shall be allowed" to take cars home within a 25-mile radius of the city limits.
"I don't think that's appropriate," Martinson says. "Especially with budget constraints the City is under right now."
Councilor John Eagleton says they have been told taking away the benefit could save the city 1-point-2 million dollars.
"The bottom line is the City of Tulsa and the police union entered into an unlawful contract," said Eagleton. "That provision violates a city ordinance and as such it can't be allowed to go on in my estimate."
We reached out to a representative of the Fraternal Order of Police but were told they were not allowed to speak. Before today, they told us the savings are not as much as 1-point-2 million dollars, but they don't have an exact figure. And, they say they are no longer making any changes to their contract to save the City money.
So, where does the City of Tulsa go from here? Councilors say it is up to mayor-elect Dewey Bartlett, Jr. and his administration. A Bartlett spokesperson said he is not commenting on policies righ tnow, but will be looking at the issue after he is sworn in next month.
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Latest Comments on "Attorney: Police Take-Home Vehicle Benefit Is Illegal"
posted by: gotulsa on 6:10 pm on 11/18/09
Its amazing what government employees think they can extract from the tax base. The majority of us work in private sector and all costs are analyzed, minimized, and we are in a constant state of fear for losing our jobs. If you work for the government you almost always get "cost of living adjustments" (for the most part unheard of in the private sector), you get all kinds of holidays, good medical, dental, etc, and its nearly impossible for you to lose your job. All of these perks and you keep taking from those who pay the taxes! What is your problem! Unions are great if you're in them, but for everyone on the outside looking in you're just plain greedy!
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