Fresno police union should cool ‘sinking ship’ rhetoric and reach a new contract with city

Even to those familiar with the hyperbole of contract negotiations, the message was startling.

Fresno Peace Officers Association members shared an email that called the Fresno Police Department a “sinking ship.”

That does not exactly inspire confidence in city residents who all too well know how crime-troubled Fresno can be.

But the reference occurred as contract talks between city administrators and the union are under way. And Police Chief Paco Balderrama has his own take, which is that morale is strong among the rank and file and the department is getting a handle on crime, particularly shootings.

Nevertheless, contract talks are at a tough stage, and for residents and Police Department staffers alike, the sooner they can be brought to a conclusion, the better.

Officers reject contract offer

Bee staff writer Brianna Calix reported recently that union members soundly rejected the city’s offer of a new contract — 82% of 513 votes were no.

Their concerns were over pay, morale and a change in how officers sign up for assignments.

The FPOA represents the department’s officers — a work force that currently stands at 776. That is down from 849 sworn officers in 2009, before budget cuts forced by the Great Recession.

Brandon Wiemiller, FPOA president, said in a update to members how “Fresno PD officers are expected to handle more calls, carry greater caseloads, face greater violence, face more exposures to danger (i.e. Fentanyl, COVID, etc.). for the same or less pay than their counterparts.”

A starting Fresno police officer earns $59,500, Balderrama said. By contrast, a starting officer in Clovis earns just over $74,000 annually.

Police, however, take up the lion’s share of the Fresno’s general fund budget. Of the $555 million general fund, $207 million is allocated to police.

Avoiding impasse

In his report to members, Wiemiller said union negotiators would keep meeting with the city in hopes of forging a new contract. But if suitable terms could not be reached, an impasse would likely result, he added. (Wiemiller did not return several calls by The Bee Editorial Board seeking comment).

Balderrama said an impasse would be a first for Fresno. But the chief doesn’t believe the situation will become that dire. He told The Bee’s Editorial Board that a new offer could be coming in the next week or so, and it will include more generous salary terms.

Asked if the ship was really sinking, Balderrama quickly responded. “That is the comment of one person. The feedback I get from our officers is a lot of hope that we can build the department back up to the numbers it should be.”

The Police Department, of course, is not a headquarters building, black-and-white patrol cars or even navy-blue uniforms. It is the people who make it up — each officer, dispatcher and top leaders. So, if the department is a “sinking ship,” it’s on them.

Here’s a reminder to those members of Fresno’s Police Department that the public expects them to protect and serve, as they have sworn to do, contract or no contract. Both sides must negotiate in good faith and reach an acceptable agreement.