Police union, city at an 'impasse'

It's been almost a month since the city of Tallahassee's contract with the police union expired, and there's still no deal.



Michelle Bono, assistant to the city manager, said City Manager Anita Favors Thompson is expected to meet behind closed doors with city commissioners within the next few weeks to update them and seek guidance. The city and the Tallahassee Police Department have been negotiating since February.



"The bottom line of where we are is impasse has not been declared yet," she said.



But Lt. Steven Slade, president of the Big Bend Police Benevolent Association, said that might be the last chance to reach a deal.



"We countered their last offer and we have yet to hear from them," Slade said. "If we don't hear from them (this time), our only recourse is to declare impasse."



If that happens, the city and union would likely go to a mediator, who would issue a recommendation. But mediation isn't binding: the commissioners have the last say. Under Florida law, police officers can't strike.



The city and the police are at odds over pay and benefits. No details on what's causing the hang-up have been made public, but the city budget provided for a 3-percent raise for police officers.



Bono said negotiations were especially tough this year because of the budget shortfall due to property-tax cuts.



The union represents 324 of the department's 361 sworn officers.

For the past several commission meetings, police officers have filled commission chambers to air their frustration. Last Wednesday, about 180 officers and their families attended the meeting while one of them told commissioners that officers were upset at their lack of support.



Slade said he hoped police could reach an agreement with commissioners that's acceptable to both parties.



"They can impose anything they want," he said. "That's not good for the city, the Police Department, or the community."