Police unionism: power and impact in public-sector bargaining

the long version

The rise of militant police unionism has caused comment and concern among police executives, the press, and the public. This book, derived from a study supported in part by funds from the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, is a review of the present state of police activism. The authors are specialists in labor relations and bring to their study the perspective that police unionism is one particular kind of labor management activity. Like other public sector unions, the police must bargain within both economic and political constraints. Additionally, a police union must negotiate with the police chief as well as the local government. Police unions gain leverage because their members provide an essential public service. Their lobbying efforts, which are often necessary to achieve a wage increase in the legislature, give police additional strength. The authors conducted a field study in twenty-two urban jurisdictions in which police unions have been active. From these experiences, examples of negotiation, lobbying and the spheres of union activity are drawn. Also discussed are the impact of unions on police professionalism, black officer organizations, and the police chief's ability to manage. The authors conclude with a suggestion for voluntary cooperation between police unions and management in order to present a united front toward the political realities with which the two contend.