IBPO Defends Police Details
March 27, 2008
At a press conference in the Senate Reading Room of the State House today, Senate President Therese Murray announced plans for transportation reforms that include possible cuts to some police details.
IBPO Legislative Director Raymond McGrath was there and reported that the plans for changes to details were vague. McGrath was joined at the conference by Boston Police Patrolmen's Association President Tom Nee and MassCOP President Hugh Cameron. Awkwardly absent were any representatives from NEPBA, although McGrath had reached out to the group on this important issue.
"The transportation reforms discussed were pretty sweeping, and police details were mentioned, but information provided was vague," McGrath said. "In my conversations with the press who were there, I let it be known that the IBPO would aggressively fight cuts to police details because they're such a critical public safety issue. Police officers are by far the most effective tool for traffic control and accident prevention at road construction sites."
McGrath also reported that discussions of police details typically overstate and overestimate savings associated with the hiring of flag men. He stated that under project labor agreements, where a flag man would be paid a prevailing wage, the flag man's salary would be comparable to that of a police officer. But, he said, the safety and protection provided to the driving public would be nowhere comparable.
IBPO members are urged to call their legislators—particularly Sen. Baddour (Methuen) and Rep. Wagner (Chicopee)—to voice their strong opposition to cuts to police details. The State House phone number is 617-722-2000.