28 Apr Richmond Wants SEIU, Not Police Union, to Represent Community Intervention Specialists

(City of Richmond via Bay City News)

By Samantha Kennedy

Advocates of public safety in Richmond scored a win last week on their way to further shaping — and deploying — a crisis intervention program independent of law enforcement. 

The Richmond City Council on April 22 rejected an appeal by the Richmond Police Officers Association that would have placed Community Intervention Specialists from the Community Crisis Response Program, now ROCK, within the union. 

The move upholds the city’s decision to have the position represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 1021. 

“If the public policy purpose of the city in creating this program was to differentiate in the minds of the CIS staff, and more importantly members of this community, that there are services this city will provide using CCRP ROCK staff,” said Jack Hughes, who provides labor and legal services to the city, “then putting them in the POA is that antithesis of the message of that program.” 

The program was officially formed in 2021 after a nationwide push by advocates called for police resources to be instead used for law enforcement alternatives, including social programs. The program looks to respond to low-level, non-violent emergencies. 

Sharrone Taylor, director of human resources and the employee relations officer who made the initial unit determination, said it was “imperative” for the city to make the distinction between law enforcement and ROCK. 

Taylor said that non-sworn Police Department personnel already within SEIU share a “community of interest” with the CIS position. Sworn positions are certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Training and Standards, which non-sworn positions, including records technicians, do not have. 

In addition, Taylor said the CIS position falls under the Office of Neighborhood Safety and not the police department. 

The difference between the two, she said, would also make placing the position in RPOA more difficult than in SEIU. Taylor said that’s because the CIS positions, which are non-sworn personnel, would require “extensive revisions” to the Memorandum of Understanding.

Jonathan Murphy, the attorney for RPOA, said in negotiations with the city, which he said included one meeting with the city and various side meetings, that it was too early to decide which unit the position should be placed in. 

“If we don’t know what they do, how could we possibly know what the community of interests of these individuals are?” he asked. 

But police reform advocates pushed back on the RPOA’s ask on April 22, saying independence was necessary. 

“In order for this to be a successful, independent response team, these positions need to be designated under SEIU 1021,” said Andrew Melendez, a member of the Community Crisis Response Program’s Community Advisory Board. “Since the very beginning there, it’s been very clear that Richmond community members throughout the entire city are asking for an alternative response that’s entirely separate from the current models that we have right now.” 

RPOA President Ben Therriault said the union is not against the program. 

“We don’t want a program that fails or is going to cause us to have to do more work,” he told the council. “Having them integrated — union-wise — makes a lot of sense based on the work they are going to do.” 

Realistically, City Attorney Dave Aleshire said, RPOA could appeal the council’s decision one more time to the California Public Employment Relations Board. 

In a 6-1-0 vote with council member Soheila Bana abstaining, council members rejected RPOA’s appeal.

Despite Richmond placing CIS in SEIU now, bigger changes to RPOA’s makeup could be coming. 

Kito Williams, a jailer with the department who said he represented 80% of non-sworn police personnel in SEIU, said those he represented wanted to leave SEIU’s representation for RPOA. 

“This decision did not come lightly. It stems from a deep, shared belief among the undersigned employees that our roles, responsibilities and daily experiences place us in far closer alignment with the mission, operations, and community service focus of the RPOA,” he said. “We believe they can be better understood and represented by the RPOA.” 

The next Richmond City Council meeting is Tuesday.