First Thursday, October 2026
This month’s podcast is all about information. Information about the public and employees. Who controls it, who has access to it, how can it be used, and what role does the union play? The Cases How local and state legislative bodies are handling issues that impact public safety employees. (0:37:16)
San Antonio City Council Approves $102M Police Union Contract
San Antonio City Council approved a new three-year contract with the city’s police union Thursday, committing more than $102 million to higher wages and other benefits for officers while shifting some of the growing cost of healthcare onto employees. Council voted 10-1 to approve the collective bargaining agreement with the San Antonio Police Officers’ Association, with District […]
First Thursday, August 2026
The Brady Rule affirms that the government, because of its obligation to provide defendants with a fair trial, must turn over favorable, exculpatory evidence to a criminal defendant. Over the years, Brady has become as impactful on public safety labor law as it has in criminal law. Brady Lists of officers with histories of misconduct […]
First Thursday, July 2026
The Supreme Court has wrapped up its 2026 docket, and, in this podcast, Rick covers three decisions that impact public safety employees. US v. Hemani (03:19) Margolin v. National Association of Immigration Judges (32:13) Trump v. Slaughter (45:40)
First Thursday, June 2026
Rick Poulson covers a potpourri of cases from across the country, including two involving police take-home vehicles. Cases: New Mexico Labor Relations Board Finds Police Take-Home Vehicles Policy A Mandatory Subject Of Bargaining, Village of Hatch Police Officers Ass’n v. Village of Hatch, PELRB No. 128-25, 2026 WL 1031973 (N.M. Pub. Emp. Lab. Rels. Bd. […]
Firefighters Bring DC Firm Into Lawsuit Against City For Benefits Reduction
JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Jefferson City firefighters union is bringing three Washington, D.C.-based labor attorneys to its lawsuit against the city over cuts to employee cafeteria plan benefits. Local 671, the Jefferson City firefighters union, filed a lawsuit against the city in December 2024, alleging the city breached the union’s contract. Earlier that year, […]
Union Attorney Alleges Political Retaliation At Webb County Sheriff’s Office
WEBB COUNTY, TX — An attorney for a Texas law enforcement union alleged retaliation and harassment inside the Webb County Sheriff’s Office tied to deputies’ political affiliations during public comment at Webb County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 26. John Bradshaw, a staff attorney with the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT), read a […]
Salisbury, Maryland Firefighters, City Workers Lose Collective Bargaining Rights
SALISBURY, MD — Salisbury’s fight over organized labor is headed from City Hall to the ballot box. Just moments after the City Council voted Tuesday night to repeal collective bargaining rights for more than 200 municipal employees, union supporters launched a petition drive to force the issue before voters in a special referendum. After months of heated […]
Idaho Attorney General Declines To Investigate Caldwell Mayor For Obstruction Allegations
CALDWELL, ID — A Fraternal Order of Police attorney representing the employment of Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram filed a complaint with the Idaho Attorney General’s Office in March, alleging that Mayor Eric Phillips misused his official position to obstruct police investigations, according to newly obtained documents by KTVB through a public records request. The complaint centers […]
The Rise Of Moral Distress: How ‘Make It Work’ Is Slowly Breaking The Fire Service
Fire service leaders don’t lose sleep because the job is dangerous; we lose sleep when we know what the right move is but can’t make it. That is moral distress, and it can be heavy. The term moral distress first appeared in healthcare research decades ago to describe what happens when professionals know the ethically […]
Henderson, Nevada Police Tout ‘Near Zero’ Vacancy After 4-Year Labor Shortage
HENDERSON, NV — In 2022, two Henderson police officers stood watch at a crime scene while grumbling about a labor shortage. Four years later, the complaint appeared distant to the police chief as the department touts a “near-zero” vacancy rate. The Henderson Police Department revealed training had begun for the city’s largest-ever police academy at […]
Montana City To Pay $900,000 To Firefighters After Arbitrator Rules In Favor Of Union
HELENA, MT — The Helena Firefighters labor union says they’ve been fighting for fair wages for their staff since 2024. Recently, an arbitrator determined the city of Helena will need to pay $900,000 in back pay distributed between 36 firefighters after failing to negotiate a new salary contract in 2024. When it came time to […]
Northeast Pennsylvania Police Departments See Retirement Wave Amid Recruiting Challenges
Kingston police Sgt. Sam Blaski, the longtime leader of the local Fraternal Order of Police union, recently retired along with several other veteran officers from the Wyoming Valley, signaling a changing of the guard in the profession. Wilkes-Barre City police Chief Joseph Coffay retired to take over as the top cop in the upstart West […]
Firefighters Union Sues City Of Cape Girardeau Over Failed Contract Negotiations
CAPE CIRARDEAU, MO — International Association of Fire Fighters Local No. 1084 has filed a lawsuit against the City of Cape Girardeau, alleging municipal officials have not negotiated in good faith over a new contract. The suit contends negotiations involving city manager Ken Haskin and human resources director Gina Snyder have failed to result in […]
Court Sides With Charlotte-Mecklenburg FOP In CMPD Employee Defamation Case
CHARLOTTE, NC — CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A legal battle between a CMPD employee and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police has officially come to an end, with North Carolina’s Court of Appeals ultimately siding with Char-Meck FOP. Sandra Vastola, who serves as Director of Public Affairs for CMPD, filed a lawsuit back in […]
Houston Must Pay Firefighters $10M To $12M After Arbitrator Sides With Union In Contract Dispute
The city of Houston must pay $10 million to $12 million in additional raises to its firefighters after an arbitrator ruled in the union’s favor in a contract dispute, Controller Chris Hollins said Wednesday. The city’s 2024 contract with the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association gave the firefighters $650 million in back pay for the more than seven years they worked without a […]
Even After Being Cleared Of Charges, Some Massachusetts Police Officers Can’t Go Back To Work
For any police officer charged with a felony in Massachusetts, discipline from the state’s police oversight board is automatic — their certification to work in law enforcement is suspended. But when officers are cleared of those criminal charges, either by acquittal or some other disposition, the Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, Commission doesn’t […]
Akron Shares Update On Police Union Contract: Changes Impacting Discipline Timelines
AKRON, OH — A Memorandum of Understanding has been agreed upon between the City of Akron and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 “that will update language around the discipline process reflected in the police union contract.” “These language changes clarify the overall discipline process and set expectations for Akron Police Officers and the Akron community about how these reviews will proceed,” […]
‘I’m Hearing Rumors’: Arbitrator Sides With Firefighters Union To Enforce Contractual Obligations
HOUSTON — Two years ago, Houston firefighters received a billion-dollar settlement in a years-long contract dispute with the City of Houston for raises and back pay. A few months ago, arbitration documents show that the city and the firefighter union went to arbitration because the city wasn’t implementing obligations under the contract. Councilmembers appeared caught off […]
Pembroke Pines Police Union’s Bid To Block Text Messages Release Denied By Judge
A Pembroke Pines police union’s petition to temporarily protect officers’ private text messages from becoming public record has been denied, federal court records show. Federal judge Ed Artau’s March 30 decision on whether the union would be granted a provisional stop to city officials’ demands for the messages was clear: “… The alleged public records […]
Top Cop Bullish On Study Calling For 100s More Officers — But Unions, Lack Of Money Could Stand In Way
CHICAGO, IL — A staffing study released Wednesday calls on the Chicago Police Department to put hundreds more officers on the street, although the long-awaited plan could be hampered by labor contracts and the city’s financial crisis. Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling and other officials said the proposed changes would allow for better supervision, greater […]
Houston Police Union Calls For TSA To Join HPD
HOUSTON — As the partial government shutdown continues to leave TSA without pay, the Houston Police Officers’ Union is suggesting a career change for agents. What they’re saying: The Houston Police Officers’ Union posted a callout on Wednesday for agents with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to consider joining HPD. Continue reading at Fox 26 […]
Idaho Law Enforcement Frustrated By Legislature’s New Immigration Bills
Idaho law enforcement groups say they are increasingly frustrated by immigration legislation lawmakers are proposing without first seeking their input. After a slate of immigration bills had stalled in the legislative process, a Republican Senate leader on Thursday introduced some late-session new bills to address many of the same goals. Continue reading at the Idaho Capital Sun.
Legal Claims Filed Against Chula Vista On Behalf Of Police Chief
Ruling Limits Rochester Police Accountability Board’s Power To Recommend Discipline On RPD Officers
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — An appellate court ruled on Friday that the Rochester Police Accountability Board does not have the authority to recommend discipline against Rochester Police Department officers. According to the decision, the local law giving the PAB that power is unlawful because it conflicts with state law and collective bargaining agreements. Locust Club leaders […]