Chief’s Counsel: Labor Relations: Promulgating a New Rule

In states with collective bargaining, police chiefs intending to implement a new rule or to make material changes to an existing set of rules and regulations should be sure to involve the union or unions representing various police officer bargaining units prior to the effective date of such new rules and regulations. Even chiefs in states without formal collective bargaining should find the principles discussed in this article useful. Involving employees in the development and implementation of rules and regulations helps assure a sense of teamwork and recognition of the value of officers’ input and experience. It can also produce a sincere commitment to take the rules and regulations to heart.

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