Folks,

The August Unified Police Board Meeting was held today/Thursday August 18th at 900 a.m At the SOB. Item eight of the agenda concerned a new policy regarding appointed commanders (also called Deputy Chief of Police Services). The Sheriff, in presenting this agenda item, has described that this would make six appointed commanders in UPD ~ somewhere from the ranks of lieutenants and captains.

I did speak in the public comments time at the outset of the board meeting and prior to that agenda item being presented by the Sheriff, as did FOP. FOP announced their objection to this concept as well as a lack of process and communication in getting to this point.

Speaking for the Federation, I have told the board that the Federation does not have an objection to this concept (today), but members have expressed their concerns and questions about this proposal. Also that I had not seen the proposed policy until very recently, and I have reserved the right to bring up an objection at a later time. I have asked that Labor have a seat at "the table" in the interests of seeing that this proposal is a fair and well-considered idea.

I also described members interest in having promotion opportunities and concern about what this proposal would mean. I also asked the question ~ what changes does this means to the position of captain in this Agency. Would this appointed commander idea eventually replace the rank of captain?

I told the Board I was mindful that UPD members first called for this concept as the result of Project Team work based on the job satisfaction survey the Sheriff had called for some time ago. There is strong support of this concept from the beginning.

I told the board I know this is an important change in Unified Police, which the Sheriff also said several times during his presentation.

I didn't  see a draft of this proposed policy until this week. I hope to more fully inform you as to the details of this policy soon.

This proposal was projected for approval by the UPD board today and then was to be presented at the Merit Commission Meeting next Thursday. TUPD board members have recommended the Sheriff make some requested revision of language in the policy and to meeting with Labor. The Sheriff has said that he would have a meeting with labor as suggested by the Board. I believe the Sheriff will want to do this quickly.

I sincerely appreciate the UPD board members having an interest in informing your representatives prior to this important decision.

I know there is a lot to consider in this important change ~ including the morale factor of Captain + 5% for a few ~ when many officers are still at or near entry-level money after years on the job with UPD and are hurting.

If the appointed commander position deserves a bump because of their extra duties, can it be argued that those filling lead positions, executive positions, or other positions of additional responsibility deserve some consideration as well?

I am asking you; what concerns, questions, comments positive or negative do you have about this proposal? Please email them to me as soon as you can to dccampbell@updsl.org so I take your concerns to this planned meeting and later before the Merit Commission and UPD Board.

Thanks for everything you do

Respectfully,

Don Campbell ~ President of the Unified Police Federation

Folks

I apologize about a slight gap in Federation news. The Sheriff's Labor meetings for August and July did not happen.

In positive news about the Administration, we are having productive talks with UPD Admin and UPD Board members on compensation. Well in advance of the next budget.

Now no decisions here, but the talk is centered on making UPD compensation work for retention and recruiting for now and the future. A comprehensive wage survey comparing local law enforcement agencies is being looked at, placing UPD employee compensation in the top third (we are well in the bottom third now), restoring merits with long term commitment to keep merit steps in place, Gross vs. Take home, Medical/Dental/Flex/Vision/Life, Percentage of benefits paid by the organization vs. employees, vacation/sick/holidays provided, extra duty/secondary income potential, uniform allowances/costs, other income from shift differential/lead pay, pay for not selecting health insurance, are among the items on the agenda. I am very interested in how this can go.

We are continuing to push for merits back in place, want the idea of compressing merit raises over less years, and mid-year adjustment for cola ~ especially using the money difference from the Health Insurance change to get back to employees. We strongly endorse the idea of looking at employee compensation FIRST before any other budget item is considered.

I wanted to say thanks for everyone making the 3rd Annual Federation Golf Event a big success. I would specifically like to say thanks to Eric Brown and Mike Lee for all their effort. I really appreciate ALL the sponsors, especially SKAGGS and SQUATTERS PUB - helping out a lot as they have done and promise to do in the future.

Also, we have sent a check  from the Federation and its members in support of our injured brother West Valley Police officers ~ as part of the fund raising effort going on right now. Fraternal Order of Police lodge #4 have expressed their great appreciation for this gesture.

Folks

Just to let you know of a piece of good news for some of our respected officers!

Officer Scott Bannon (always watching the details on his check as all should) noticed a disparity in money going to his 401K. He checked and found that money that was withheld from his account by UPD had not been released.

That money was held in "escrow" for several months while UPD was waiting a response from URS. Scott was kind enough to bring it to my attention and I have been working with our Administration in getting an answer to this withholding of approximately $2,000. plus from each" double-dippers" UPD contribution to their 401K retirement.

The answer is back from URS; the money in escrow can be released.

I just wanted to say thanks to Scott for his attention to this and let you know I appreciate the Administrations work to correct the issue with URS.

Respectfully,      

Don

Don Campbell, President Unified Police Federation

dccampbell@updsl.org

Folks

Three of our Unified officers (all Federation members) were involved in a conflict in Magna this week. I know I share with you the gladness that they are not injured and survived this dangerous situation.

I know the legal support at times like this is perhaps the most important reason for your membership in a police labor organization. We are beginning a series of articles for you that will discuss our Legal support.

Those three officers had an excellent attorney respond out there to help them, as well as attorneys on notice to respond if needed. Also PORAC coverage is there to cover additional needs such as private investigators, legal experts, etc.

I wanted to introduce to the responding attorney that has been there for our members since 2006. This is a short bio for Jeremy Delicino.

Folks,

Receiving member concerns about being discouraged from putting in for some recent job/assignment postings here at UPD. The stated reason was only considering Patrol for these assignments.

There is a concern about this. Denying someone the opportunity to put in for a job under these conditions doesnt fit a policy I can find yet! Whatever criteria for consideration may be involved in selection, shouldn't any qualified officer wishing to be considered be allowed to submit their interest for a job?

I have contacted Mr. Dave Warnock in HR and Sheriff Winder. the Sheriff describes this as a miscommunication with Mr. Warnock sending out a clarification to commanders yesterday. I spoke with Mr. Warnock and he confirmed this is not a policy practice at UPD. I have asked for consideration of re-opening a posted job if members were discouraged from putting in and still would like to be considered for the job.

Mr. Warnock sent this message to Commanders yesterday:

Dear Commanders,

With all of the recent transfer opportunities there have been some questions on the transfer policy regarding those who are currently serving in specialty assignments and want to transfer to another specialty assignment.  The policy does not restrict personnel from applying for or transferring from one specialty assignment to another.

Best Regards,

David

Director, Human Resources

Unified Police Department (UPD)

Office - 801.743.5336

Mobile - 801.573.5974

dwarnock@updsl.org

Respectfully,

Don Campbell

President, Unified Police Federation

dccampbell@updsl.org