Roseville Command’s research leads them to POLC representation

— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

Roseville Command Officers were with their former Union for about two decades when they decided it was time to compare their representation with other Unions.

After conducting thorough research into the competition, they voted to join the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC) in March 2023.

“We went and sat down with POLC and the other Unions … and we listened to what everybody had to say and decided the choice of POLC representation was the best,” said Sgt. Scott Burley, Roseville Command Officers Local Union President.

The 15-member unit was primarily concerned with the level of service they were receiving from the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) compared to what they would experience as POLC members.

“It’s a customer service business, and if the customer service isn’t good for what you’re paying, you go somewhere else,” Burley said.

Burley reached out to officers in area departments for feedback about their representation and the POLC stood out with positive reviews.

“It was a total package, between some of the things POLC does at negotiations time, like the way they put together the comparables (with neighboring department benefits), and everything else,” Burley said. “It’s the customer service quite frankly. There’s also a level of comfort in knowing some of the guys here as well.”

Burley was referring to Local POLC-represented members he’s met through neighboring departments as well as Roseville Command’s new POLC Labor Representative Jim Stachowski. The two got to know each other while Stachowski served with Clinton Township Police. Stachowski is handling contract negotiations this spring for the new unit since their bargaining agreement expires July 1.

“So far Jim has been outstanding,” Burley said. d