LANGUAGE PROBLEMS Officials to rework police confidentiality policy

The union's attorney believes the confidentiality policy is too vague.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A new confidentiality policy for police officers will not go into effect today as previously scheduled.
Doug Franklin, the city's safety-service director, said officials decided to go over the policy and rework some of the language.
"The union had some concerns, and we decided it won't go into effect until we work through it and address those concerns," Franklin said. He said he didn't know how long it will take to redo the policy.
The confidentiality policy, which was written last month, limits what officers can say to the press and to others.
The policy also states that all officers must sign the statement as a "condition of continued employment and privileges."
"I'm very glad that they have decided not to put this into effect yet," said Atty. Randall Weltman, legal counsel with the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the union that represents the patrol officers. "It's too vague the way it is written now."
Weltman also noted that he had instructed officers not to sign the statement because he felt the city cannot tell the officers who are already employed that they have to sign it as a condition of employment.
Other provisions
The policy also stated that officers cannot discuss any information requests relating to current or past employees or job applicants.
"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 press information.
Franklin says he believes the policy was put in place to make sure criminal investigations are not hampered.
Police Chief John Mandopoulos, however, said he is also concerned about officers' leaking information to the press.
sinkovich@vindy.com