Westminster Sued by Police Union

The union representing police in Westminster has sued the city and its police chief for instituting a policy that officers contend can be used to pull them off of coveted “special assignments” and cut their pay.

The Westminster Police Officers’ Assn. said it was never consulted before Police Chief James Cook issued a 1994 memo that limited special assignments to three years, with two additional years possible. Under Cook’s policy, a 7% raise given to officers on special assignment is rescinded when they rotate out of special details such as narcotics and gang work.

A prior memorandum of understanding between the union and the city set no time limit for special assignments and no monetary penalties for returning to patrol work, the suit said. It seeks to block reassignment of any officers on special duty and asks for monetary damages. It was filed in Orange County Superior Court on Thursday.