Op-Ed
Union Chief: On Diversity, C.U. Police Needs Work
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My term as president of the Cornell Police Union will expire on Labor Day. In over 25 years active in the union leadership, my signature failure has been attempts to diversify the supervisory ranks of the Department.
When I came to the Department in 1977, management was comprised of 14 white men. Today, there are 13 and one woman. This is our progress in over a quarter century. During this time one African American managed to break through to management — only to be demoted shortly afterward. Twice the Department has gone outside the University to avoid promoting highly qualified and senior minority candidates. Meanwhile, the union has had to resort to the grievance procedure and human rights organizations to protect women and minorities within the bargaining unit.
At the lowest paid end of the Department, clerical staff, women and minorities comprise 100% of the workforce. At the next level up, telecommunicators, the percentage is 50%. One notch up, at the patrol officer level, the count is 25%. And at the highest level, sworn supervisors, the count is a dismal 7 percent. The glass ceiling is well regulated in the Cornell Police.
Our contract states: "The University and the Union recognize their mutual obligations under Affirmative Action statutes". The union takes this responsibility seriously. The University does not.
Jim Morrissette is a CUPD Patrol Officer and the outgoing president of the Cornell Police Union. Guest Room appears periodically.