RPD is facing an overhaul that the police union says 'accomplishes nothing.'

Rank-and-file Rochester police officers and command staff are butting heads over how to best serve the public because of an upcoming reorganization of the department, according to the Locust Club, the local police union, which called a sudden news conference Thursday afternoon.

The Locust Club said patrol officers were shut out of discussions and were "coerced to put in (transfers) that they have no desire for."

Just before the Locust Club news conference, the city of Rochester and the police department released a joint explainer on the matter. It states that last year RPD leadership began planning a reorganization to address staffing shortages and to reflect the current violent crime trends in Rochester.

Police officials have said the department is running about 80 officers short. The reorganization plan has yet to be finalized, but some proposals include the creation of two new units and more flexibility in officer assignments, according to the city.

Locust Club president says RPD reorganization 'a flawed plan'

At a press conference Thursday, union president Michael Mazzeo said city leaders and command staff refused to discuss the reorganization plan itself, only offering to negotiate how members of the department would be impacted.

He said the reorganization would eliminate the Central Section, condensing five patrol sections into four, and do away with a fourth platoon that provides extra overnight coverage.

"We asked for specific information on what they believe the reorganization will accomplish," Mazzeo said. "We refuse to meet to only discuss impact (to officers) when our concern going forward was about a flawed plan that accomplishes nothing."

The city recently opened a 10-day posting where impacted officers could submit a voluntary transfer request, according to Mazzeo. But he said calling the transfer posting voluntary is a misnomer.

He said affected patrol officers were told if they did not submit a transfer request, command staff would choose their next posting for them. Mazzeo said those who do submit a transfer request lose the right to raise a grievance, as the transfer would be considered voluntary.

"These are people that have no desire to leave where they're working," he said. "The times they're working. The days off they're working, and so forth."

RPD and city say police officers given opportunities to weigh in

In their joint statement, the city and RPD leadership said they have hosted numerous presentations and discussions with the Locust Club up until the past several weeks, when the union postponed or declined several requests to meet.

"The Locust Club has the opportunity to weigh in on the plan and the anticipated reassignments, but must come to the table and engage," the statement argues.

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Kayla Canne reports on community justice and safety efforts for the Democrat and Chronicle. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com or on Twitter @kaylacanne.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: RPD command staff, Locust Club at odds over reorganization plans