Officer Discipline Issue Stalls Simi Contract Talks

SIMI VALLEY — Contract talks between the city and its police officers are stalled, largely because a proposal for binding arbitration on discipline matters was rejected by the city’s top negotiator, according to the police association president.

On Friday, Simi Valley Police Officers Assn. President Fred O. James declared the impasse, the first since 1989. At issue is how the city disciplines its 100 sworn officers and sergeants, James said.

Under the current system, officers subject to discipline may appeal the decision of a captain or the chief of police to a state administrative hearing officer. However, the city is not bound by the hearing officer’s decision.

In the department’s 26-year history, James said every case in which a hearing officer has found in favor of a police officer ended with the city manager ruling in favor of management. He wants to use an impartial third party to issue binding rulings on disciplinary actions.

“Unfortunately, the city manager and chief of police are not interested in fairness and justice but simply in maintaining absolute authority over members of the Police Department, whether or not their actions can be ethically or morally supported in a fair, impartial hearing,” James said.

Laura Herron, assistant city manager and the city’s negotiator on this matter, would not comment on the talks, citing a confidentiality agreement between the city and the police officers association.

She did, however, dispute James’ contention that decisions by hearing officers that run contrary to the department are never upheld.

The Simi Valley City Council met with Herron in closed session Monday night to go over the status of contract matters.

The officers association is seeking a one-year contract, although city officials noted that Simi Valley has never signed such a short-term pact. The current four-year contract expires July 1.

City Councilwoman Sandi Webb said the officers are reacting to a spate of firings and resignations of officers involved in a pyramid scam in 1995 and 1996.

“We’ve cleaned out the dead wood. I think we’ve cleaned out those that are causing problems,” Webb said.

Don Douglass, a Simi Valley police officer and union official, said Police Chief Randy Adams has made progress in boosting officer morale through department awards and recognition.

“And he supports us with the latest equipment to help us do our job,” Douglass said.

Where the chief has erred, Douglass said, is in the area of officer discipline.

“The ideal goal is to get an independent third party who will listen to all the evidence surrounding any internal investigations,” he said.

There is no recommendation yet for that third party.

“We were open for any change in the process, any other option. But they will not change,” Douglass said.