Tulsa FOP Compares Cuts To Extortion

By Ashli Sims & NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa Police union leaders say the mayor's budget plan holds some officers hostage, while forcing others to pay the ransom with pay cuts.

In a news release, Tulsa FOP Local 93 called the demotions and/or layoffs "paying ransom for our co-workers," and continued, "though this is not extortion, an extortionist could not do it any better."

Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett is supposed to hand over his proposals for budget cuts to the public safety unions Tuesday.

It's likely to be a choice between more pay cuts or layoffs and the police union calls that holding some officers hostage and forcing others to pay the ransom.

The Fraternal Order of Police and the Black officers Coalition have joined forces to double-team the mayor.

They say whether the mayor decides to lay off officers or force demotions, it could have long lasting impacts on the city.

"Especially layoffs in the city of Tulsa will vastly affect the police department, its ability to provide services to the citizens of Tulsa and will roll back the clock on diversity in this town," said Ryan Perkins, FOP President.

They estimate that a combination of 111 layoffs and 49 demotions would slash Native American officers by 20%, blacks by almost 18%, and white women by almost 14%.

Add in retirements and the ranks of minority officers would be slashed by almost half.

"Attrition alone would devastate us this year, much less in five years. In five years we could have less than 30 black officers," said Tyrone Lynn, Black Officers Coalition President.

Tulsa Police officer Tyrone Lynn was one of the black officers who sued the city for racial discrimination back in the 90's and won.

He speculates these cuts and their heavy affect on minority officers could violate the consent decree signed in 2003 and could force the city back to federal court.

"We want to move forward in terms of diversity. We don't want to go back 30 years in terms of diversity and for us to be a progressive city to go backwards like that is unbelievable," Lynn said.

Dewey Bartlett is still working on his proposal for cuts, but he has said he's going to leave it up to the unions, more concessions or fewer jobs.

It's a tactic the FOP president likens to holding the force hostage and asking for ransom and one he says could drive officers away.

"They do not trust this mayor because of the tactics he's imposed and they're looking for an exit strategy," Perkins said.

The Fraternal Order of Police says there are several cost-cutting measures they've offered the mayor that are still sitting on his desk, unsigned.

They insist there's a way to weather this financial storm without sacrificing public safety.

The mayor says all city departments should share in the burden and it would not be fair if police and fire were exempt.

1/11/2010  Related Story: Tulsa Mayor Working To Get Budget Cut Plans To Labor Unions