Police Union Challenges Federal Reforms

A Philadelphia Police Department promotion ceremony. | Copyright City of Philadelphia. Photo by Mitchell Leff.

The union that represents Philadelphia Police has filed unfair labor practice charges against the city for implementing reforms recommended by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The complaint by the Fraternal Order of Police was posted without comment this morning to the Police Advisory Commission’s Facebook page. (See the document below.)

According to that document:

• FOP leaders were asked to meet in late May with Department of Justice technical advisors to discuss the reform recommendations made by the feds. FOP leaders declined, saying its contract was with the city, not the feds.

• In June, the city unilaterally implemented a number of changes to the department’s use of force policies.

• The city additionally announced this week it would name officers in police-involved shootings within 72 hours of an incident.

The FOP says it did not negotiate nor does it approve the changes. Thus, the unfair labor practice charge.

No immediate word on how the case will proceed.