Fraternal Order of Police Levels Accusations, City Officials Respond in Kind

The Carroll County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) lobbed a verbal attack against the Westminster Common Council and police chief this week, but city officials called it a tactic designed to press for collective bargaining.

In a press release earlier this week, a representative of the FOP accused city officials of "alarming" spending and policing strategies and questioned how drug seizure funds were used.

City officials said the allegations are unfounded and suggested that the FOP is trying to pressure city officials into entering a collective bargaining agreement.

Mayor Kevin Utz, who is a retired state police trooper, said the FOP is attempting to increase membership numbers.

"This is really nothing more than the FOP trying to pressure us by dividing the police department, police chief, citizens and council," he said. "This is how they do business.

"It's sad because I'm a retired trooper, but I know how they operate," Utz said. "It's about getting numbers and when they finish with Westminster, they'll go to the next police department and try to get numbers there with collective bargaining agreements."

Gary McLhinney, representing the FOP, said he has been both a police chief and a union leader. According to him, in Oct. of 2010, 32 members of the Westminster Police Department signed a letter requesting that the FOP pursue a collective bargaining agreement on their behalf. He said the FOP has been unsuccessful in convincing Westminster's leadership to consider collective bargaining.

McLhinney said in a press release that crime in Westminster is increasing and the number of police officers is decreasing at an "alarming rate."

According to Police Chief Jeffrey Spaulding, the number of total crimes reported in 2010 was 1,689 and that so far in 2011 it is 1,664. He said data he submits to the FBI shows that homicides, robberies, aggravated assault and theft numbers are down from last year. There has been an increase in auto thefts and burglaries.

Spaulding said the Westminster Police Department has 45 sworn officers and 14 civilian employees. He acknowledged that there are currently four patrol positions vacant. Additionally there is a vacant captain position and detective position but he said those two positions are being kept vacant at this time due to budget concerns.

"I am optimistic that in the next eight weeks we will have the four patrol vacancies filled," Spaulding said.

The FOP and McLhinney accused Spaulding of spending drug seizure funds on non-essential items and unneeded "perks" such as iPads and iPhones for high-ranking officials.

Spaulding said iPhones provided to his command staff were purchased by the city of Westminster and they provide needed technology.

The FOP also took issue with the policy that prohibits some police officers from taking home vehicles.

Spaulding said that the common council, due to budget constraints, amended an existing policy in 2010 to only allow officers living within the county or those on call to take home vehicles. He said that members of his command staff who assist in emergency management situations also have take-home vehicles. From 2005 to 2010, all officers had a take-home vehicle. Spaulding said the change affected 13 officers.

City Administrator Marge Wolf said this policy is not unique to the police department. She said city employees in public works, utilities and the wastewater treatment plant also have take-home vehicles so they can respond in emergencies.

Utz said the FOP has not brought up any such issues in meeting with city leaders. He said the FOP has only pushed for pay raises and a collective bargaining agreement in discussions with city leaders.

McLhinney acknowledged that the FOP had not raised the issues prior to sending out a press release.

"It's very unfortunate that they are trying to drive a wedge betwen the chief and his staff," said Council member Tony Chiavacci, who serves as public safety chair. "He (Spaulding) advocates for his staff vehemently, all the time," Chiavacci said.

Mclhinny said that the FOP wants to educate the public.

"We've tried to get the attention of the elected leadership in Westminster," Mclhinny said "I know they're upset and angry, but they've got to look in the mirror because what's going on is simply not right.

"This place is out of control, I've never seen anything like it in my 30 years," he added.

Spaulding said that he realizes there are some unhappy people in his department.

"Is there work to be done to mend the fences? Clearly," he said. "Certainly we will take that on. I would love not to be in a position where my employees are reaching out to a third party to try to negotiate."

"I realize a great deal of it is financially based and that's just out of my control," Spaulding said.