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Police Union Suspends Vote On Cruiser Policy

Bill Slone

Efforts to reinstate a policy allowing Lexington police officers to use city-owned police cruisers for personal use has hit a snag.

The city’s police union halted a vote on the plan Wednesday.

In a statement posted to the Bluegrass Lodge #4 website, FOP president Jason Rothermund says the vote was suspended because of a misleading statement by an administration official, who gave the impression that the FOP halted the personal-use policy for cruisers as a cost-cutting measure. Rothermund argues it was the city that proposed the changes during collective bargaining negotiations.

The statement reads: “The police officers of this city deserve better than to be blamed for the lack of police presence on the streets, which in turn is being blamed for the recent spike in violent crimes in Lexington.”

Senior advisor to Mayor Jim Gray Scott Shapiro tells WUKY the administration will push for a resolution so a vote can move forward.

"It looks like a temporary setback, but we hope it is temporary. I think both sides really want this to happen, so there's no reason why it shouldn't," he says.

The new proposal would permit officers to begin using the cars for personal use again for a monthly fee of $50. Shapiro says a follow-up meeting between the FOP and the city has not been scheduled.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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