Self Inflicted Union Wounds

The Scranton Times reported yesterday that the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP...the union  representing Scranton's police officers) has filed a grievance against the City of Scranton because...get this...the Chief of Police participated in an arrest while off duty.

Yes, the FOP leaders are upset that Chief Dan Duffy is fighting crime.

Here are a few words that came to mind when I read this story yesterday:

Stupid

Asinine

Ridiculous

Selfish

Nonsensical

Short-sighted

and so I could go on.

I want to note that I think Scranton has an excellent police force, and I've never had a bad experience with the public safety professionals that protect the citizens of Scranton.  In fact a number of years ago I was involved with a particularly difficult situation where a member of the Scranton Police Department was nothing short of outstanding in how he handled events.  In short, the officers themselves are true professionals, but what their union leaders are doing in this particular situation makes them look like idiots.  That, folks, is a real crime.

Speaking of real, the real issue here is that the FOP wants to always find new and creative ways to "stick it" to Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty.  Fair enough.  However this is one instance where they have done more harm to themselves than anything else.  What sympathy I had for union workers in general from events in Wisconsin is eroded when nonsense like this comes to light.

I applaud Chief Duffy for more than doing his job.  As for the FOP leadership, well I suggest that they heed the old carpenter's adage when it comes to their public pronouncements:  measure twice, cut once.  Do you REALLY want to argue that Chief Duffy shouldn't be stopping crime?