Police unions in the news - Lowell Mass
From the
Lowell Sun:
Lowell paying $230 a month but police GPS units still not activated
The city has paid $230 per month for the last eight months to Verizon to track police officers with a global-positioning system that hasn't been turned on yet.
The department also spent $50,000 to purchase hardware needed to make operational the GPS system first proposed by City Manager Bernie Lynch and Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee three years ago.
But two city unions are blocking the project because they want assurances the data will be used for public safety and not discipline.
City taxpayers are not footing the bill for the hardware outlay or the monthly fee. Police are using the law-enforcement trust fund, built with money taken during drug seizures. That money can only be used for federally-approved purposes, such as buying police equipment.
Lynch and Lavallee announced the initiative after a cruiser was stolen in the Highlands by Ricky Sin of Lowell. Sin pleaded guilty to several charges, including larceny of a motor vehicle.
"Our goal here is to know where the cruisers are and where our people are," Lynch said Tuesday. "And it would certainly be helpful in terms of the deployment of officers."
But the unions:
The 170-member Lowell Patrolmen's Association has other concerns, President Dennis Moriarty said.
"This issue is not as black and white as it might appear," said Moriarty. "We would be willing to approve its use with certain stipulations."
Primarily, he said, the union does not want it used as a disciplinary tool and that the data not be stored.
"There is already a system of checks and balances for that," said Moriarty. "There is a street boss for every shift, a lieutenant and a sergeant. This would be overkill." Moriarty suggested the trust fund be used for other purposes, like officer training.
Lynch disagreed.
"I don't see it (being used for discipline) unless a police officer is somewhere he or she shouldn't be," said Lynch.
I agree with Lynch -- the GPS would only be an 'issue' if the police car is not where it should be. As for this: "
Moriarty suggested the trust fund be used for other purposes, like officer training", he seems to be forgetting this: "
That money can only be used for federally-approved purposes, such as buying police equipment" Capital equipment for the department and not high-priced junkets to luxurious training facilities.
These people work for the citizens of Lowell. Their salary is collected from these citizens through their taxes. They should not consider themselves to be above the citizens.
Posted by DaveH at February 23, 2013 10:01 AM