Long Beach : President of Police Union Put Back on Payroll After Spat With Chief

Police Officers Assn. President Mike Tracy has been put back on the Police Department’s payroll without missing a payday.

Police Chief Lawrence Binkley notified Tracy in a letter dated April 25 that the union officer’s pay, benefits and pension were being stopped because he failed to turn in time cards and did not meet with Binkley the day before.

But Tracy said he recently received his biweekly paycheck as scheduled.

According to Tracy, Binkley has ordered him to appear at the station at 3 p.m. every Monday to meet with the chief and to turn in his time cards. In addition, Tracy said he is expected to arrive at the station anytime Binkley wants to see him.

As president of a union representing 635 officers, Tracy argued: “I work for the membership and not for the chief of police. I cannot possibly negotiate a labor contract under threat of insubordination.”

In his letter to Tracy, Binkley wrote: “It is not my intention to initiate confrontation. . . . If we are paying your salary and benefits, you must be accountable to the police organization.”