Long Beach : Police Union Leader’s Pay Frozen in Rift With Chief

Long Beach Police Chief Lawrence Binkley has stopped paychecks for Police Officers Assn. President Mike Tracy. The chief said Tracy did not turn in time cards and missed a meeting with him, according to a union spokesman. Tracy’s pay, benefits and pension have been frozen for an indefinite period, said Sgt. Terry Holland, the union’s vice president.

According to Holland, Binkley asked Tracy to personally turn over his time card to either the chief or his assistant chief every Monday morning. For the past two weeks, Tracy has attempted to do that, Holland said. But because neither man was available, Tracy left his time card in Binkley’s office--a procedure the chief found unacceptable, Holland said. Police would not comment on the case, saying personnel matters are confidential.

In a letter informing Tracy of the pay freeze, Binkley also criticized the union president for failing to meet with him late last month. Holland said Tracy had requested that weekly meetings between management and the union alternate between the downtown police station and the union’s office on 7th Street. Holland said the meetings are voluntary and Tracy is not required to attend them at the station.