Upcoming Seminars

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17Jun
Jun 17 - Jun 19
The Rights Of Police Officers
3645 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas
30Sep
Sep 30 - Oct 2
Enforcing the Contract: Grievances, Discipline, and Workplace Rights
3645 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas
04Nov
Nov 4 - Nov 6
Best Practices in Public Safety Discipline
600 Marriott Dr Nashville

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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In 2020, the New York State Legislature repealed Civil Rights Law § 50-a, which, since 1976, had provided absolute protection for police officers’, corrections officers’, and certain peace officers’ personnel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

Firefighters Bring DC Firm Into Lawsuit Against City For Benefits Reduction
06/02/2026
JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Jefferson City firefighters union is bringing three Washington, D.C.-based labor attorneys to its lawsuit against the city over cuts to employee cafeteria plan benefits.Local 671, the Jefferson City firefighters union, filed a lawsuit against the city in December 2024, alleg
Louisville FOP Threatens Legal Action Over Inspector General Investigations
06/02/2026
LOUISVILLE, KY — The Fraternal Order of Police chapter representing officers in Jefferson County is threatening legal action against the city of Louisville over the role of the Office of Inspector General in investigating Louisville Metro Police officers.In a one-page letter to Mayor Craig Greenberg
Union Attorney Alleges Political Retaliation At Webb County Sheriff’s Office
05/28/2026
WEBB COUNTY, TX — An attorney for a Texas law enforcement union alleged retaliation and harassment inside the Webb County Sheriff’s Office tied to deputies’ political affiliations during public comment at Webb County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 26.John Bradshaw, a staff attorney with the Com
Salisbury, Maryland Firefighters, City Workers Lose Collective Bargaining Rights
05/28/2026
SALISBURY, MD — Salisbury’s fight over organized labor is headed from City Hall to the ballot box.Just moments after the City Council voted Tuesday night to repeal collective bargaining rights for more than 200 municipal employees, union supporters launched a petition drive to force the issue before