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From Our Newsletter

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May 9, 2026
Cities Unlawfully Refused To Bargain Over FOIA Pre-Disclosure Procedures
In 2020, the New York State Legislature repealed Civil Rights Law § 50-a, which, since 1976, had provided absolute protection for police officers’, corrections officers’, and certain peace officers’ personnel records used to evaluate job perfor­mance. The same legislative package added amendments to
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April 11, 2026
Court Rejects Late First Amendment Challenge To Termination
William Shelton was a police officer employed by the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) in Ohio. Outside of his police duties, Shelton also performed as a rap artist and maintained several public social-media accounts. Although supervisors were aware that Shelton made music, his public Y
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March 14, 2026
Trooper’s “Highly Unbecoming” Conduct Towards Coworkers At After-Hours Event Did Not Warrant Termination
A Michigan State Police Trooper was intoxicated at a Michigan State Police Troopers Association (MSPTA) event and engaged in serious misconduct. Surveil­lance video showed the trooper placing her fingers into the “anal crevice” of a male coworker, striking another coworker in the genitals, and attem
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First Thursday Podcast

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46:01

May 7, 2026
First Thursday, May 2026
The rise of gambling apps has created an multitude of issues, and the public safety labor environment has not been immune from its effects. In this episode of First Thursday, Rick Poulson explores this rapidly growing issue and its implications for public safety agencies. Sparked by both personal ob
, 05/07/2026

55:50

March 5, 2026
First Thursday, April 2026
Upcoming seminars from LRIS (00:01:12)The CasesCourt Rejects Late First Amendment Challenge to “Talk My S**t” Termination, Shelton v Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (6th Cir. 2026)(00:02:40)No ULP When Citgy Refused To Make Firefighters Whole For W-2 Errors, Rochester Fire Fighters Ass’n v.
, 03/05/2026

57:11

March 5, 2026
First Thursday, March 2026
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in the case United States v. Hemani. The case deals with whether federal criminal statute 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which makes it a felony for an “unlawful user” of a controlled substance to possess a firearm, is constitutional when it is used to pr
, 03/05/2026

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
, 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)
, 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
, 01/08/2026

Recent News

Pleasanton Crime Falls As Police Boost Pay, Staffing
05/08/2026
PLEASANTON, CA — The Pleasanton City Council will review a new labor agreement with the Pleasanton Police Officers Association, and hear a presentation from the department regarding local crime trends.The council will first receive a presentation on local trends in property and violent crime. Accord
Morning Report: The Downfall of Police Union Leader
05/08/2026
SAN DIEGO, CA — The president of the San Diego Police Officers Association is out less than a year after he was installed. That’s because Police Chief Scott Wahl is trying to fire him, reports Will Huntsberry. What happened: Earlier this year, Sergeant Jeremy Huff took to Facebook and brashly defend
Akron Police Union Pushes Back On New Weekend Complaint Processing Duties
05/08/2026
AKRON, OH — Akron Police officers are now being required to process their own criminal complaints during a new weekend closure at the Akron Municipal Clerk of Courts Office, a move the Fraternal Order of Police Akron Lodge 7 says is adding pressure to an already short-staffed department.The change i
‘You Just Stuffed It Down’: First Responders, Dispatchers Confront Mental Health Crisis
05/08/2026
NEW YORK — Ty Wooten didn’t realize the weight of answering his first 911 call — until more than a decade later.A woman had dialed 911 to report that her husband had shot himself in front of her and their 7-year-old son, on the family’s living room couch. It was Wooten’s first call as a dispatcher.“