[daepp]

A local law firm that represents police and their unions had their playbook posted on their web page until last week. They are targeting a Costa Mesa City Councilman. They even had him followed home from a restaurant, where one of their operatives called 911 and said he was driving drunk. He was sober and also produced a receipt for his meal and soda. Check out their tactics - kinda scary! And I have no dog in this fight - but someone does!

"You do not want wage increases for yourselves, but simply to attract better qualified individuals and to keep more experienced officers from leaving.”

This primer goes on to list strategies for getting politicians, bureaucrats and the unwitting public to fall into line.

The lawyers advise union leaders to cozy up to decision-makers long before negotiations begin. Once impasse is reached, “now is the time when the political endorsements, favors and friendships come into play.”

Once at impasse, storm the city council, chastising members for their lack of concern for public safety.

Next, picket and make appearances at public functions, making sure everyone knows the association is upset.

If crime is up, use that to send the message that the city council could care less about public safety.

Send members to job fairs, having them apply at a large local agency. This will cause an influx of personnel file checks by background investigators. (Apparently, city hall will panic at the large number of police seeking outside work.)

Stage a work slowdown. “Do thorough investigations, such as canvassing an entire neighborhood when doing 459 (burglary) reports.” Ask for a back-up unit on most calls. And “of course exercising officer discretion in not issuing citations and making arrests is also encouraged.”

Make sure the public knows of “blunders” or wasteful spending by the city manager, mayor or city council members.

Create mailers with the emphasis on public safety and encourage residents to telephone council members, preferably at home.

If any council members are up for re-election, campaign against them, again for their lack of concern for public safety.

Focus on one public official and “keep the pressure up until that person assures you his loyalty and then move on to the next victim.”

Hold press conferences. “Every high profile crime that takes place should result in the association’s uproar at the governing body for not having enough officers on the street, which could have avoided the incident.”

The primer closes on a menacing note: “The idea is to show the decision-makers that the public favors public safety … and almost equally as important, to let them know that next time, they should agree with you much sooner.”