Police union rejects budget concessions

First posted by newsroom colleague Jason Pesick to The Sun's 24/7 breaking news blog.

Members of the San Bernardino Police Officers' Association unanimously voted Tuesday night not to accept a 10-percent pay cut for officers, in addition to passing a vote of no confidence against the Police Department's top leadership.

Association Vice President Travis Walker, also a detective in the department, said members did not want to make the concessions because the city would not guarantee that there would be no officer layoffs.

Of the 339 officers in the department, the 190 who showed up for the vote overwhelmingly voted no confidence in Chief Michael Billdt, Assistant Chief Mitch Kimball, Capt. Theodis Hensen and Lt. Brian Boom.

It was the second vote of no confidence the association has taken against the chief.
Officers are also upset that Billdt will not be leaving his post in March, as originally planned.