MUSKEGON, MI – The city of Muskegon and its firefighters’ union have all but resolved a longstanding dispute that had both sides at odds over firefighter benefits and department manpower for more than a year. Both Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson and IAFF Local #370 President Chris Drake confirmed on Thursday that they have been negotiating on a new contract over the summer. Drake said those negotiations have been…
JOPLIN, MO — Joplin’s finance director says critics are trying to force her out of her job, and the city manager says city employees who continue to stir rumors and act disrespectful could face disciplinary action. City Manager Sam Anselm holds fire and police employees responsible for repeated incidents in which he said untruths have been spread and employees have acted out against other city employees, such as the…
NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville already set aside $15 million to launch police body cameras next year, but officials in the police department and district attorney’s office said they’ll need millions more to manage and monitor thousands of hours of video footage. According to projections provided to Mayor David Briley’s administration, police said they need to hire 12 employees specializing in technology and public records requests. District Attorney Glenn Funk…
OPA-LOCKA, FL — The city of Opa-locka, trying to crawl back from debilitating graft and scandal, is facing yet another complication: Many officers in its depleted police force are complaining about low pay, old equipment and crummy working conditions. Set among the warehouses that line industrial Ali Baba Avenue, police headquarters leaks rain water and grows mold. The grass out front needs to be cut. It was so bad…
ST. CHARLES, MO — Several St. Charles firefighters are leaving their department over disputes involving pay. Still waiting on a new contract, the firefighters are taking jobs in other communities like Wentzville because they feel they are better options. The firefighters union says this could become an issue in St. Charles, as they are facing an unprecedented personnel turnover. “I think there’s a little frustration from the administration side,…
PALM BEACH, FL — More Palm Beach police officers have left the department during the 2017-18 budget year than in any year since at least 2006, according to town records, shedding light on the town’s growing struggle to keep its public safety employees. Thirteen sworn officers have left the department since Oct. 1, according to records. Of those 13, four retired and nine resigned, the most resignations since at…
They’re battling an opioid epidemic, rising crime, slashed budgets and thinned ranks. Now, they’re fighting the state’s retirement system, too. Across the state, troopers, police and firefighters say Alaska’s retirement system is crippling their ability to recruit and retain new employees, leaving gaping holes in their ranks. Now, they’re urging the state to take action and warning of consequences if nothing is done. “It’s getting challenging to find and…
BUCKEYE LAKE, OH – As the Buckeye Lake Police Department starts to rebuild, its new chief knows it will be a struggle to get officers to apply because the small town can’t compete with compensation offered by larger departments. Chief Vicki Wardlow said other small departments are in similar situations. “It’s a training ground for new officers, new cadets, but retention is virtually impossible unless you offer benefits that…
LANSING — The State of Michigan will pay about $750,000 and make other changes to settle a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Justice Department on behalf of female officers at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility near Ypsilanti. The federal lawsuit was brought in 2016, alleging the Michigan Department of Corrections discriminates against female officers by forcing them to work excessive overtime at Michigan’s only prison for women. Chris Gautz,…
HOUSTON, TX — Five firefighters were killed in the Southwest Inn fire in May 2013. The families sued radio-maker Motorola, claiming radio malfunctions led to the firefighter’s deaths and reached a settlement recently. That legal action was between the families of firefighters and Motorola, not the city of Houston. The city wasn’t a party to the suit nor did it help the firefighters win the lawsuit, but now the…
