D.C. police appeal 'All Hands on Deck' decision

WASHINGTON - The D.C. Police Department is taking its first legal step to defend the "All Hands on Deck" initiative.

The department has filed legal papers, asking a federal arbitrator to take another look at a decision that said the program must end. The arbitrator ruled on Sept. 9 that the program violated city law and the police union contract.

"We strongly believe the arbiter reached the wrong decision as a result of misconduct by the Fraternal Order of Police," says Attorney General Peter Nickles in a written statement.

Kristopher Baumann, with the Fraternal Order of Police, takes issue with that statement.

"The idea that the FOP or anyone could conceal a public document is absurd," Baumann tells WTOP.

The arbitrator ruled the department violated officers' rights by improperly changing days off and tours of duty and by not bargaining with the Fraternal Order of Police.

Baumann says part of the argument involves overtime pay he says officers deserved, but did not get. Under the ruling, the police department would have to provide back overtime pay for officers who worked the extra shifts.

In Friday's filing, the department asked to be able to offer additional testimony and evidence.

"The arbiter's decision really has to be based on the facts of the law and that's we want him to consider," D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier tells WTOP. "But we also don't want people to lose sight of the success of 'All Hands on Deck.'"

Lanier credits the initiative with reducing crime. Police arrested 2,765 people during the first six phases of the program this year.

Lanier plans to continue with the program, with future "All Hands on Deck" iniatives scheduled for November and December of this year.

In the past, former Chief Charles Ramsey declared crime emergencies and mandated extra shifts and longer hours after crime spikes.

(Copyright 2009 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)