The Covington Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) rebuked the city’s mayor and city manager in a press release today for “inflammatory” public statements about the organization and its leadership.
The statements were made to local news media.
“On too many occasions, policy differences with the Mayor and the City Manager resulted in personal attacks that questioned the motives and character of well-respected people in the community, even when those people are employees of the city they claim to serve,” said FOP President Bryan Bogard, a Covington police sergeant.
“Their most recent attack is yet another example of the disappointing lack of professionalism that is the hallmark of dealing with this administration.”
Mayor Sherry Carran openly questioned the character and “intentions” of the FOP leadership, said Bogard.
The police union and city management have had strained relationships for some time. The union says the police force is understaffed and underfunded.
“It is not appropriate for the mayor to launch a negative personal attack against me or to question my intentions and character,” said Bogard. “She cannot on one hand claim to have respect for the police officers of the city, and on the other hand question the motives and intent of the head of its police union who is currently serving on the city’s police force.”
Bogard claims that City Manager Larry Klein’s statements were in direct response to the FOP’s endorsements in the mayoral and commission races.
Bogard says Klein has refused to pay for travel expenses for mandatory training for Covington police officers and that documents obtained by the FOP show the Kentucky Department of Labor has required the reimbursement. He also claims that Klein has refused to pay for body armor for Covington Police officers and that State Occupational Safety and Health Administration (KyOSH) intervened and mandated the city to purchase the body armor.
“The City Manager has been hostile to the police department as evidenced by his failure to provide even basic safety equipment to our officers,” says Bogard. “Covington deserves leaders who can be respectful during policy discussions and refrain from politicizing City Hall.”
The FOP has endorsed Joe Meyer for mayor and three candidates for four spots on the city commission — incumbent Bill Wells, challengers Michelle Williams and Timothy Downing.
Other candidates for the city commission are incumbent Jordan Huizenga and challengers John Flesch, Stuart Warren and Christi Blair.
Klein issued the following response to the statements in the Covington FOP release:
“Our Police Officers are the best. I want them to be safe and happy in their jobs. I understand that they encounter danger on a daily basis. But I have a duty to the entire City. And, I want to provide accurate information to our elected officials, our citizens and taxpayers, and our employees.
“The intent of my response was to make sure that citizens and taxpayers are aware of progress and accomplishments that the City has made, working with the leadership in the Police Department and the FOP.
“For example, a fleet replacement plan so we have the Police cars that are needed (the City just purchased 32 new vehicles), body cameras (the City just approved over $500,000 for new body camera system), and the addition of four new Police Officer positions authorized in October of 2015 plus the Computer Forensic Analyst position also approved in 2015. We still have challenges to address pay issues, and the City has made proposals to increase pay for all ranks especially at entry level so we can continue to attract and retain the best candidates. We are committed to increasing the pay for Police Officers especially for new Police Officers so it is competitive with other law enforcement agencies.
“There was nothing personal or political intended in my response to the FOP claims of the City not addressing staffing, equipment or pay issues in the Police Department. I know the FOP leadership. I like them. I respect them. We joke and tease with each other on the street or in the hallway. But as City Manager I have a duty to represent the best interests and needs of the entire city and its taxpayers not just one department or one labor union.”