Story on new SBPD layoff notices

By Stacia Glenn and Andrew Edwards
Staff Writers

SAN BERNARDINO -- Twenty-two ranking police officers received notice Tuesday that they must choose between demotion or unemployment.

The letters were authorized by the Feb. 2 City Council vote to issue pink slips to city employees. San Bernardino faces a projected $9 million deficit.

Interim City Manager Mark Weinberg explained the new letters are the product of the "bumping" process.

Civil service employees with bumping rights can dodge layoffs by accepting demotions, and then lower ranking employees face layoffs.

San Bernardino officials are considering the elimination of 130 or more jobs across most city departments. The council has not given final approval to layoffs, which can be rescinded.

"It's unpleasant. It's unsettling. We feel terrible about it," Weinberg said.

The council's next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 17.

The Police Department currently employs 46 sergeants and 47 detectives. Tuesday, seven sergeants and 15 detectives received notice that they will go down a rank or leave the force.

Police Officers' Association Vice President Travis Walker, himself a detective, said that eight of those detectives have been assigned 197 cases combined since Jan. 1.

"It's a sad day within the organization," Walker said. "It's sad to see public safety affected in such a manner."

Civil Services employees prepared a standard letter for all department heads to issue to "notice the impacted employees," said Police Chief Michael Billdt.

The ranking officers have 10 working days to tell the city whether they accept the demotion. If they do not, they are laid off as of March 13 and placed on a re-employment list for two years.
Sergeants and detectives who are bumped down can be re-promoted if a position opens within the next two years.

The potential police layoffs are part of a proposed budget cut package that could also result in heavy layoffs for the Fire Department, the gutting of the city's parks maintenance staffing, library closures and other difficult cuts.

Second Ward Councilman Dennis Baxter said he has been "hit by all sides" from constituents who want to preserve city services, but doesn't see a way to escape cuts.

"All these are vital, vital programs. Nobody wants to cut anything," Baxter said. "We've got to do something. We can't be insolvent."

But 7th Ward Councilwoman Wendy McCammack asserts that police layoffs can be avoided if the city would more aggressively pursue fines and other revenues. She said she'll be able to prove her case at the next council meeting.

"You'll see how many council members truly believe that public safety is a priority," she said.