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Ardmore’s Fraternal Order of Police has filed a formal grievance over Chief David Leonardo’s new policy regarding off-duty employment and are also investigating the demotion of a ranking officer.
FOP members voted to file a grievance regarding stipulations Leonardo has implemented concerning off-duty employment. Officers reportedly believe the new policy, which requires Leonardo’s personal approval of any off-duty employment is unfair. Once the grievance was filed, the chief had 10 days to respond to the complaint.
The FOP is looking into a grievance filed by a police captain who was recently demoted by Leonardo.
Cpl. Bobby Moore, local FOP president, confirmed Wednesday the group had received a reply from the chief.
“He said he would work with us, but he was pretty much sticking to his new policy,” Moore said.
Leonardo told The Daily Ardmoreite Wednesday his off-duty employment policy was not unusual.
“It’s common to have these policies to assure citizens and the officers are safe,” Leonardo said. “It’s also key to the (national) accreditation we’re working toward. The big issues the officers have presented is that they do not want to be restricted by total hours, or, have any restrictions at all on their days off. I don’t think that is reasonable, because it all adds up and affects your rest, and total cumulative fatigue. I have met with officers and representatives from the FOP and made significant revisions to the policy to try and accommodate their concerns.”
Before an officer can accept an off-duty position he or she must submit a request to the chief and gain Leonardo’s approval. Leonardo said each officer’s appeal for approval of off-duty employment would be “carefully reviewed, and considered on an individual basis.” However, the policy states the deadline for all requests for off-duty employment approval for 2008 was July 1.
A copy of the entire seven-page policy can be viewed on the Ardmoreite web site.
Representatives of the FOP say officers are concerned over the limitations of the chief’s new policy, and individual officers say the policy is unfair because other city employees are not subject to the same part-time job restrictions, including firefighters. Ardmore firefighters told The Daily Ardmoreite Wednesday while they are not to take jobs that would interfere with their regular AFD shifts, they are not required to get prior approval before accepting jobs that fill their off-duty time or provide information concerning their part-time jobs.
Ardmore’s Fraternal Order of Police has filed a formal grievance over Chief David Leonardo’s new policy regarding off-duty employment and are also investigating the demotion of a ranking officer.
FOP members voted to file a grievance regarding stipulations Leonardo has implemented concerning off-duty employment. Officers reportedly believe the new policy, which requires Leonardo’s personal approval of any off-duty employment is unfair. Once the grievance was filed, the chief had 10 days to respond to the complaint.
The FOP is looking into a grievance filed by a police captain who was recently demoted by Leonardo.
Cpl. Bobby Moore, local FOP president, confirmed Wednesday the group had received a reply from the chief.
“He said he would work with us, but he was pretty much sticking to his new policy,” Moore said.
Leonardo told The Daily Ardmoreite Wednesday his off-duty employment policy was not unusual.
“It’s common to have these policies to assure citizens and the officers are safe,” Leonardo said. “It’s also key to the (national) accreditation we’re working toward. The big issues the officers have presented is that they do not want to be restricted by total hours, or, have any restrictions at all on their days off. I don’t think that is reasonable, because it all adds up and affects your rest, and total cumulative fatigue. I have met with officers and representatives from the FOP and made significant revisions to the policy to try and accommodate their concerns.”
Before an officer can accept an off-duty position he or she must submit a request to the chief and gain Leonardo’s approval. Leonardo said each officer’s appeal for approval of off-duty employment would be “carefully reviewed, and considered on an individual basis.” However, the policy states the deadline for all requests for off-duty employment approval for 2008 was July 1.
A copy of the entire seven-page policy can be viewed on the Ardmoreite web site.
Representatives of the FOP say officers are concerned over the limitations of the chief’s new policy, and individual officers say the policy is unfair because other city employees are not subject to the same part-time job restrictions, including firefighters. Ardmore firefighters told The Daily Ardmoreite Wednesday while they are not to take jobs that would interfere with their regular AFD shifts, they are not required to get prior approval before accepting jobs that fill their off-duty time or provide information concerning their part-time jobs.
The off-duty employment issue remains unresolved at a time when the FOP and the City of Ardmore are still in contract negotiations. Moore said City Manager Dan Parrott has indicated a willingness to examine their complaints about the chief’s new off-duty employment policy .
“The city manager has asked the FOP to provide him with a specific list of concerns about the policy and said he will review it. We are currently working to provide him with the information he has asked for,” Moore said.
Ardmore officers are also concerned about the recent demotion of Capt. Eric Hamblin. Moore said the FOP is investigating the circumstances surrounding Hamblin’s sudden demotion two weeks ago.
“We are looking for a reason for the demotion, and have sent a letter to the chief asking for documentation and the reason behind the demotion. We are presently awaiting his reply,” Moore said.
Privately, other officers have indicated they are concerned and on-edge concerning new policies and actions that are occurring at the police department.
The demotion and what was termed “upheaval” at the police department was also a question raised at Wednesday’s State of the City Luncheon. The issue was raised along with allegations of “firings” at the police department during the annual audience question and answer session. Parrott confirmed one demotion had occurred, but denied any officer had been fired.
“I don’t believe there has been an upheaval,” Parrott told the audience.
While the city manager was not specific, he alluded to “strong personalities and egos” as reasons behind current actions at the police department, adding city officials want “a department that is here to protect and serve and not just enforce the laws.” Hamblin, a 15-year APD veteran, was promoted to captain March 28. He previously served as the criminal investigation division lieutenant and was twice named APD Supervisor of the Year.
Leonard refused to comment on his action against Hamblin. Hamblin, who is currently serving as a sergeant and working a specialized shift, said he has filed a grievance seeking the restoration of his captain’s rank.
“I’m awaiting the outcome of the grievance,” he said late Wednesday.
