Legislation aiming to open #police contract negotiations to public input is long overdue. We need to continue fighting to bring transparency to often problematic union contracts and let the people know how the city spends its police budget. Philadelphia has a budget of $726 million for its police department. It's only logical that the public should have a voice in how it is spent.

The police contracts have generated controversy in the past including allegations that secretive contract negotiations have put obstacles in the way of police reforms. The police force is shielded from both public and departmental accountability by multiple layers of contractual and legislative protections. Accountability and transparency are necessary to change this. Increased public input will generate reformative debates regarding some of these issues. 

There are also calls from within the community to make the process more transparent. Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, a pastor at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church and a leader with the interfaith organization POWER, has stated that he is very critical of the secret bargaining process. “It’s pretty much done in the dark and without any input from the citizens,” he said. He offered full support to the legislation, saying "it’s time to turn on the light and put the process out to the public."

The problem doesn't just lie within the police department, city politicians have used the contract at times as an excuse to avoid important debates about police reforms. Open debates and public input will close the door to such excuses. Involving the public will also help build trust  between the police and the community. Instead of opposing the process, FOP should be on board with a bill aimed at improving police-community relations in the City of Philadelphia, but the recently passed law will bring more scrutiny to the police budget and contracts. The step is in line with the recent outcry for universal police reforms after the fatal encounter of George Floyd. 

The contract negotiations process has, in words of Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, been shrouded in secrecy for far too long. Public involvement in  such negotiations is important. It can serve as the first step towards moving roadblocks to various safeguards and transparency measures.

The current process gives too many procedural safeguards to the police and prevents constructive debates over issues. Police contracts must undergo some changes. District Attorney Larry Krasner also shares a similar opinion. "There is little doubt that there needs to be changes in the police contract," he said.

Changing police contracts might be a more radical step that will continue to be debated. Public input however ensures a basic level of transparency and accountability. It can be the stepping stone to more practical debates about reform.