The Rochester Police Locust Club is suing the city on the proposed police accountability board from appearing on the November ballot.
The police union has been an outspoken critic of Local Law No. 2, which creates the advisory board to provide citizen oversight of the Rochester Police Department. City Council approved the referendum back in May.
The lawsuit is against the city, Mayor Lovely Warren, the City Council and the Monroe County Board of Elections. The union is alleging that Local Law No. 2 is illegal and is suing to remove the referendum from appearing on the ballot on November 5.
“Petitioners’ submit that Local Law No. 2 is invalid and unenforceable because it violates Civil Service Low section 75 by removing the authority of the Police Chief to discipline police officers and by altering the hearing procedure through a means other than a collective bargaining agreement,” according to the suit.
A spokesperson for the City of Rochester said the city has no comment on pending litigation in the interest of protecting the taxpayers.
The union said there are multiple layers already in place that provide oversight of Rochester's police officers including internal affairs and body cameras.