Tulsa Police Officers Prepare for Potential Layoffs This Week

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa police officers are getting ready for what could be their last week of work.

Monday is going to be a critical day. That's when Mayor Dewey Bartlett will present a new plan to limit the number of layoffs.

Mayor Bartlett is expected to propose to the union a 5.2 percent pay cut through next year. The Fraternal Order of Police will have this week to look over the plan and put it up for a vote.

1/24/2010  Related Story: Mayor's Office Working On New Proposal For Tulsa Police Union

If an agreement can't be reached, 155 officers will lose their jobs by Friday, including Officer Matt Rose, who found out last Friday he was going to be laid off.

"You walk in Friday and you read the first line and it slaps you in the face with the reality," Rose said.

He has been on the force for more than three years. He said he's embarrassed that dozens of officers are on the chopping block and morale within the force is nonexistent.

Rose said Mayor Bartlett is committed to the idea of breaking the union and reducing the police force, and said the union needs to fight harder to prevent layoffs. Rose said he pays $60 a month on union dues and the rank-and-file officers are completely out-of-the-loop.

"Let's talk about ashamed. That's a good word. A lot of the officers feel ashamed because of the fact that we don't know what's going on," said Officer Matt Rose, Tulsa Police Department.

Rose said his biggest concern is health insurance for his wife and 17-month-old son.

"I'm still worried, and I'm still worried because the paperwork that I signed said 'This Friday the 29th is your last day of employment,'" Rose said.

Any laid-off officers will get two week's severance pay, along with any unused comp time and vacation time.

Police officers will discuss the mayor's proposal at the next FOP meeting which is scheduled for Tuesday night.

1/22/2010  Related Story: Tulsa Mayor, Police Continue Negotiations