Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Police protest at Fulwood farewell Date: Sun, 8 Nov 92 15:50:37 EST Message-ID: \SE A;METROPOLITAN \HD Police protest at Fulwood farewell \BY Kevin Bell and Margaret Rankin \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES About 200 Metropolitan Police officers rallied outside a retirement dinner for former Chief Isaac Fulwood Jr. last night, protesting almost three years without a raise and contract negotiations that have ended in an impasse. The protest, labeled the "Rally at the Ike Takes a Hike Celebration," was organized by members of the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Committee, which recently broke off contract negotiations with Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly because they said her offer on a police raise was too low. Mrs. Kelly, who attended the dinner, said the city has negotiated contracts with every employee group except the police. "Only the FOP turned down the 11 percent pay increase," Mrs. Kelly said. "Hopefully we can get them back to the table." Labor Committee Chairman Andre Lewis said the retirement dinner was picked for the protest because of FOP sentiment that Chief Fulwood did not do enough to get his officers a raise during his three-year tenure. "There were times when the chief was on TV talking about pay raises, but the perception of the average officer on the street was that he wasn't doing all he could on our behalf," Officer Lewis said. "Maybe in some cases the perception was wrong, but let's face it, perception is everything." The protesting officers were less charitable. Stentorian chants of "Fulwood sold us out" and "Ike, take a hike" echoed outside the Ramada Renaissance, and Chief Fulwood was booed as he entered the hotel. But inside the grand ballroom, police, city officials and friends who paid $45 a ticket to attend the dinner had nothing but praise for Chief Fulwood. Mrs. Kelly said the 900 people who attended the dinner were "a powerful testimony to a 28-year brilliant career." One emotional point came when a nervous Angela Fulwood praised her father's career. "You have served with pride, you have done the best you could do, and I commend you on a job well done," she said, bringing tears to her father's eyes. Interim Chief Addison Davis, the man who convinced the retiring chief to join the force, called his friend "a difficult person to work for, because he demands so much, but that isn't bad, because he gives so much." Chief Davis gave Chief Fulwood a watch, making a reference to the men demonstrating outside. "It's ticking. It's from one of the guys out front," he said. The protest was the latest in a long string of actions staged in the last few months by the FOP. Its members say Metropolitan Police are the hardest working and lowest paid law enforcement officers in the area. "We're just trying to bring focus to the fact that this was once one of the best police departments in the country and now it's worse because the city doesn't show us any regard," said Detective Robert Dennis, chief steward at the 4th District. Several officers spoke openly of wanting to join the Prince George's County police. "Of course a lot of people are going to go for it," said Detective Dennis Williams. "With PG you get superior pay and a take-home car, which is virtually impossible here. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM