From Our Newsletter

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February 14, 2026
No Weingarten Rights For Arbitration Witness, But Interview Nonetheless Coercive
Sergeant Jeffrey Tagmyer, a Pittsburgh police officer, was subpoenaed as a wit­ness by his union, the Fraternal Order of Police, to testify in a discipline grievance arbitration for another officer, Sergeant Brian Elledge. After the initial arbitration hearing was continued, City Assistant Solicitor
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January 10, 2026
Former Police Attorney’s Post-Termination “Letter To The World” Results In License Suspension
The Missouri Supreme Court suspended attorney Ryan Christopher McCarty from the practice of law for disclosing confidential client information after his termination as associate general counsel for the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD). McCarty began working for the KCPD in June 2022 and was term
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December 13, 2025
Double Whammy ULP Decisions Against Pennsylvania Police Chief With Anti-Union Bias
A Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board hearing examiner issued two compan­ion decisions on August 21, 2025, together finding that the Jenkintown Borough, Pennsylvania, Police Department and Police Chief Thomas Scott committed mul­tiple unfair labor practices under the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act
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First Thursday Podcast

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45:10

February 5, 2026
First Thursday, February 2026
Employers often try to win disputes by focusing on technical definitions or procedural arguments. They will apply a narrow definition to an employee’s workplace right and reframe the dispute so the protection seems not to apply.All four cases covered in this month’s podcast are examples of this tact
R Richard Poulson, LRIS
Richard Poulson, LRIS, 02/05/2026

36:34

January 15, 2026
First Thursday, January 2026, Part 2
In part two of this month’s podcast, Rick offers his predictions for 2026 for three different categories.The economy – boom or bust? (00:02:10)Recruitment and retention – will federal agencies poach local law enforcement officers? (00:14:40)The courts – big changes in equal opportunity. (00:23:37)
R Richard Poulson, LRIS
Richard Poulson, LRIS, 01/15/2026

01:02:58

January 8, 2026
First Thursday, January 2026, Part 1
A look back, a look ahead.We took January 1 off for the New Year’s Day holiday, so this First Thursday episode is posting on the second Thursday. We will be posting a bonus episode on the third Thursday (and you thought there were no more Christmas gifts coming).This episode will cover what Rick thi
R Richard Poulson, LRIS
Richard Poulson, LRIS, 01/08/2026

59:49

December 4, 2025
First Thursday, December 2025
We here at LRIS would like to wish everyone a joyous and peaceful holiday season. Here’s what in store for this last First Thursday podcast of 2025:Upcoming seminars from LRIS (00:01:53)The cases:State ex rel. GateHouse Media Ohio Holdings II, Inc. v. Columbus Police Dept., Slip Opinion No. 2025-Ohi
R Richard Poulson, LRIS
Richard Poulson, LRIS, 12/04/2025

01:12:29

November 7, 2025
First Thursday, November 2025
Richard Poulson interviews Memphis Police Association President Matt Cunningham about the recent deployment of national guard troops to his city.Cases:Labor Board Rules County Cannot Unilaterally Change Schedule, County of Gloucester, 51 NJPER ¶ 73 (2025)Illinois Labor Board Requires Production of I
R Richard Poulson, LRIS
Richard Poulson, LRIS, 11/07/2025

01:12:12

October 2, 2025
First Thursday, October 2025
Rick and labor attorney Jessica Caggiano discuss what is and what isn’t protected speech by a public employee and in the age of social media. How has social media impacted how courts determine what speech is disruptive to the workplace?Rick and Jessica cover bedrock Supreme Court decisions as well a
R Richard Poulson, LRIS
Richard Poulson, LRIS, 10/02/2025

Recent News

Firefighter Staffing Stories
02/27/2026
Grapevine Firefighter Union Is Fighting City’s Plan To Reorganize DepartmentGRAPEVINE, TX — A plan by the city of Grapevine to reorganize its fire and EMS operations is being fought by the firefighter union, which says it believes the changes would compromise emergency response.But city leaders incl
Ballot Proposal May Change How Pay Is Set For L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputies, Firefighters
02/13/2026
Los Angeles County leaders are pushing forward a measure for the November ballot that would remove their ability to have final say on one of the costliest decisions they make: How much to pay firefighters and sheriff’s deputies.The supervisors voted 4 to 0 on Tuesday to have their lawyers draft a ba
FOP Peer Support Training Helps Law Enforcement Officers Assist Colleagues
01/21/2026
PARKERSBURG, WV — The National Fraternal Order of Police conducted peer support training this week at the Resiliency Center in downtown Parkersburg, teaching law enforcement officers how to help colleagues cope with mental health challenges.Sherri Martin, national director of wellness services for t