FOP Files Grievance Over Police Chief Search

Tulsa's Fraternal Order of Police is blasting Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor over her search for a new police chief. Taylor has rejected the three internal candidates for the job. The union says she cannot

Thursday, March 8th 2007, 10:22 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa's Fraternal Order of Police is blasting Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor over her search for a new police chief. Taylor has rejected the three internal candidates for the job. The union says she cannot do that. Officials with Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #93 says the charter prohibits the mayor from looking for a police chief outside the existing force, "if" it has three qualified candidates. In addition, the FOP is filing a grievance on behalf of the three candidates, Deputy Chief Bill Wells and Majors Paul Williams and Rob Turner.

Among other parts of the charter, FOP attorney Jim Moore cites two sections. One that says the personnel department shall certify at least three qualified persons. And another that says only sworn officers of the city may take promotions examinations for the city. "People of the city of Tulsa put that provision in the charter, and it's still there. She can't bypass that."

Mayor Kathy Taylor does not cite a specific section of the charter, but feels sure she is on solid legal ground. She says all the former mayors she has talked to agree with her interpretation.

A copy of the city of Tulsa's charter is available at www.cityoftulsa.org.