Judge Rejects Police Assn. Suit Against Chief

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has rejected an attempt by the Long Beach Police Officers Assn. to limit Police Chief Lawrence L. Binkley’s power to transfer officers and initiate new policies.

Judge Dzintra I. Janavs last week rejected most association claims in a lawsuit asserting that police management violated fair labor practices on a series of issues.

She agreed with the union in one area, ordering Binkley to consult with association officials before ordering officers going on stress-related leave to surrender their badges and guns.

The lawsuit, filed in March, is an indication of the behind-the-scenes rancor that has developed in the protracted negotiations for a new labor contract between the city and the 650 police officers represented by the association. The contract runs out June 30.

The suit asked the court to rescind a number of personnel actions and force the chief to consult with association officials before making a number of policy decisions.

The association contended, for example, that Binkley should consult with its officials before ordering that suspects controlled with choke holds be taken to a hospital before being booked.

Binkley’s proposal to give commendations to employees who never use sick time also was challenged in the lawsuit, which contended the chief should have consulted the association first. The judge said both policies were proper management decisions.

The lawsuit also said two officers were unfairly transferred out of the vice detail, and that two others were moved from the night shift to days after being told they were “low producers.” The judge said the chief’s decisions can be appealed through administrative channels.

Binkley contended in court papers that the department has had a longstanding policy, agreed to by the association, limiting vice detail assignments to 24 months.