TRUMBULL COUNTY Police union to protest policy

The policy is too broad, the union attorney said.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Cops are gagging on a newly issued confidentiality policy statement that limits what officers can say to the media and to others.
The policy also states that all officers must sign the statement as a "condition of continued employment and privileges."
"I told the officers not to sign it," said Atty. Randall Weltman, legal counsel with the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the union that represents the patrol officers. "The city cannot tell the officers who have been working there that they have to sign it or they can't work there."
To file complaint
Weltman says the union will file a complaint with the city on the policy.
Law Director Greg Hicks said he doesn't understand why Weltman is objecting to the policy.
"I don't understand why Mr. Weltman would be against a confidentiality policy because if some of the confidential information is disclosed it could also injure an officer."
The policy is "too broad," Weltman said.
"I have no problem with a confidentiality policy. Most departments have one, but I'm against the way this [one] is written," Weltman noted. "Many of the terms are too vague, and it is restricting information that is a public record."
The policy, which is scheduled to take effect Tuesday, states that officers cannot discuss any information requests relating to current or past employees or job applicants. All information should be directed to the city's human resources department, the policy states.
"Unauthorized acquisition, disclosure, faxing and/or discussion of any information relating to Warren Police Department matters, current or past employees, job applicants, business activities, or computerized data is cause for disciplinary action, which may result in corrective action up to and including termination," the policy adds.
It also says that other than daily reports and the initial incident reports, only the chief, captains or a designee are authorized to release media information.
Reason for policy
Doug Franklin, the city's safety-service director, says he believes the policy was put in place to make sure criminal investigations are not hampered.
"There are conditions to work here, and I'm making sure the lid gets clamped," said Police Chief John Mandopoulos. "If people want to go talk to the press, then they'll be fired. The leaking of information will stop."
sinkovich@vindy.com