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Remaining Three Police Officers Have Two Options for Employment
November 5 Update: The three remaining police officers that the
City of Tulsa was forced to lay off last week due to the ongoing
economic crisis now have two options for employment. Mayor
Kathy Taylor has continued to look for solutions to keep the three
remaining laid-off police officers at work until economic
conditions permit the City of Tulsa to rehire them.
"In all of my years of experience, this budget has been the most
difficult to work through," said Chief of Police Ron Palmer.
"We are making difficult decisions because it is necessary."
Today, Mayor Taylor received notice from Keith Ballard,
Superintendent for Tulsa Public Schools, that TPS would agree to
employ the three officers for 22 weeks or until the City was in a
financial position to rehire them.
In addition, there are two open positions within the City as
Airport Officers, immediately available. Probationary
employees do not have recall status and therefore accepting these
positions would not adversely affect them insofar as rehire is
concerned.
Chief Palmer has informed all three officers of these employment
options.
"I'm pleased that the City of Tulsa could form this partnership
with Tulsa Public Schools to ensure these officers continue to
receive a paycheck," said Mayor Kathy Taylor.
"These are two good employment options for these young officers.
Ultimately it will be their choice to accept or reject these jobs,"
Mayor Taylor said. "It is my hope that they will accept one of
these positions until the City and TPD are financially able to
rehire them."
The positions at TPS do not include benefits. The City of Tulsa
has no control over the officers' health insurance because the
police voluntarily withdrew from the City's plan two years ago. "If
the officers choose to accept employment as an Airport Officer they
will become part of the health insurance plan of the City," Mayor
Taylor said. "If they reject these offers of employment the FOP
Police Insurance Trust will have to make any decision relating to
the ongoing health care coverage of the officer and/or his family."
Insurance coverage for the three continues through the end of
November.
