NCJ Number
87822
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This synopsis of a 1980-81 analysis of police management-labor relations in Los Angeles County, Calif., focuses on recommendations to facilitate negotiations, improve management unity as well as relations with employees, and clarify the roles of the police chief and city council.
Abstract
Recommendations first address the negotiating process, noting that both the city and the police association need to develop long-term goals regarding wages, benefits, and productivity levels and should engage in thorough prenegotiation planning. Second, city management persons -- the council, city manager, police chief, and personnel director -- must accept collective responsibility for police management-labor relations and function as a single unit. Police managers should recognize the importance of employee involvement in policy formulation and create both formal and informal mechanisms to meet regularly with the association. The chief must be a visible and active part of the management team and assume an active role in maintaining good relations with the police association. On the other hand, the city council should be involved in setting labor relations policy, but remain apart from the negotiation process. Suggestions regarding negotiations emphasize the need for a clear understanding of the definitions, time frame, and rules of bargaining. Both parties should bring only legitimate issues to the table, sharing proposals informally prior to negotiations. Finally, the report recommends that both the city and the police association develop the capacity to have internal negotiators. Diagrams are included.