Small-town police union battles Dems over ‘witch hunt’ and fines on officers

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In a small-town New York police department near the Canadian border, dozens of officers have been fined for allegedly participating in an unauthorized labor strike during a snowy period this winter. The union representing the officers has condemned the fines as retaliation and an abuse of power, denying the officers due process.

One officer, Andy Thompson, refutes the allegations, stating that he reported to work, engaged in on-duty training, and even conducted a drunken driving stop amidst continuous snowfall. Thompson believes that the fines were imposed because the officers did not meet the town’s perceived ticket quota, which is illegal under New York law.

The town’s Police Chief, James Stauffiger, refutes Thompson’s claims, stating that the charges against the union and individual officers were justified. The ongoing dispute has led to tension between the department’s leadership and the rank-and-file officers.

The officers are accused of going on strike without permission for one hour each day over a nine-day period, resulting in fines equivalent to double their hourly wage. The decrease in ticket issuance during the snowy period was cited as evidence of the alleged strike.

The union argues that the reduction in ticket volume was due to the increased workload caused by the snowfall, mandatory training, and staffing shortages after several officers retired or left the department. They claim that the department’s allegations are baseless and unprecedented.

The dispute escalated when Officer Bikramjit Singh, a U.S. Army veteran, was accused of mishandling evidence during an investigation. Despite Singh’s resignation, tensions between the union and department leadership continued to rise.

The union has launched a public campaign calling for Chief Stauffiger’s removal, accusing him of retaliation, harassment, and withholding essential gear from officers. The ongoing conflict has led to a divide between the department’s leadership and the officers, with both sides standing firm in their positions.

As the situation unfolds, experts predict that the evidence presented will determine the outcome of the dispute. The union believes that this case will set a precedent in labor relations within the state’s civil service law.

In conclusion, the town’s residents are caught in the middle of the feud between the police department and the union. The dispute highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement officers and the complexities of labor relations within small-town police departments.