March 2011

SEBA Past President
William Abernathie

Colton PD Merger Dead on Arrival

It appears the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has been used as a pawn for the second time over the last five years by elected city officials using the threat of disbanding their own police department and contracting for law enforcement services with San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. Rialto was the first to use this ploy. Most recently Colton pulled the same stunt.

City elected officials contacted the Sheriff’s Department both times requesting information about contracting for law enforcement services in an attempt to balance their city budgets. The reality is this; elected city officials used the threat of disbanding the Rialto and Colton Police Departments to receive concessions from the respective bargaining groups representing law enforcement in those cities. At no time has the Sheriff’s Department solicited other cities to provide law enforcement services. Sheriff Hoops assured me he has not and would not take this type of action. The elected individuals from those cities are the ones who requested information about the cost associated with contracting for essential law enforcement services.

The Colton Police Officers Association (CPOA) and its members have agreed to take a 13 percent pay cut to help the City plug a projected $5 million hole in general fund. Rich Randolph speaking on behalf of the Union wrote, “During these economic times, the members of our Association believed in cuts and have agreed to help our city leaders balance a budget and not impact services.”

I am happy for the men and women of the Colton Police Officer Association in keeping one of the oldest police departments in place to protect and serve the citizens of their community! I only hope our Department would not be used in the future to leverage concessions from other associations.

Assembly Bill 961

The attacks keep coming on the wages and benefits bargained for in good faith many years ago. This bill is another attempt by a legislator to reform our public retirement systems. Mr. Mansoor is a retired deputy sheriff from Orange County. He is or will be receiving his retirement benefits negotiated for him by the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriff’s (AOCDS).

What is most troubling is the attempt by legislators to circumvent the bargaining process through legislation. Many law enforcement associations have already met during contract negotiations and have agreed to various reductions in retirement formulas. Many more will be discussing these same reductions in the very near future. Law enforcement organizations up and down the State are attempting to find responsible ways to assist their cities, counties, and the State, in resolving the budget crisis here today. There are no easy solutions to this ever growing problem, but one thing is for sure, it cannot be fixed without everyone acting in a fair and reasonable manner in their approach!

And as always, last but not least, “Stay safe out there.”