CPOA reacts to city council vote

On Tuesday, the Columbia Police Officers Association reacted to a provision passed by the Columbia City Council at Monday night’s meeting.

The CPOA said council members voted 6-1 to remove job protection from the city’s police lieutenants. That means any future lieutenants will be employees at will.

ABC 17 News spoke with CPOA Director Dale Roberts about the vote. He said his group worries other positions may soon lose protection as well.

“That is our fear,” said Roberts. “That the city might decide to continue this process and take job protection away from sergeants and even officers. And, of course, this is a career where officers do things that are unpopular. That’s the nature of the job.” Mayor Brian Treece was the sole council member to vote against the provision.