"Operation Impact" has had no impact on police union contract negotiations, county administration officials said yesterday.

County Executive Janet S. Owens and her staff said they have not been impressed with the union's campaign to write fewer tickets for minor traffic offenses in hopes of gaining residents' support for better police pay and benefits.

Administration officials said the only signs of support for officers they've received have been form letters from the officers or their families.

"I don't think there's anything to be gained on this issue," said Marvin Bond, the county executive's chief of staff.

He said officers were merely "posturing" during the negotiations, which have reached an impasse and could go to mediation in two weeks if an agreement is not reached.

Leaders of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 70, which represents nearly 500 county officers, have told patrolmen to write fewer tickets and give warnings to motorists when appropriate, as a means of building residents' support.

Police have also posted signs in businesses and neighborhoods urging citizens to "Help us help you."

One of the officers' first efforts -- congregating along the shoulder of Route 100 in an effort to slow traffic and demonstrate concern for safety -- resulted in a traffic jam on Route 100 Friday during morning rush hour.

Owens said citizens called her office to complain about the inconvenience.

Police Chief P. Thomas Shanahan temporarily prohibited four officers from taking their patrol cars home as a result of the incident, saying they had misused county property.

"I was not in support of the slowdown on Route 100," Owens said. "I wish they wouldn't do anything that would affect citizens."

3 percent raise

County Council member A. Shirley Murphy, a Pasadena Democrat, said officers weren't treated fairly by former County Executive John G. Gary's administration. But she said she worries that the budget will not allow much of a pay increase.

The county has offered an across-the-board 3 percent raise, but police are asking for an 8 percent raise and the repeal of a two-tiered pension plan that requires new officers to work an additional five years before they can retire.

"We'd love to give them everything they need, but the budget's not going to allow it," Murphy said. "The good news is they're going to get a raise. Education is our priority, and I think we're going to stick to our guns on that. Next year, maybe they're the ones we'll single out."

She said she received phone calls from citizens confused about what the officers were doing after Friday's demonstration.

"I just wish they wouldn't use the tactics and just negotiate with us," said Murphy, while conceding that such tactics are not unexpected during budget deliberations.

Negotiations tomorrow

Union president Bill Wild said the union disagreed with the reprimand of the four officers, but he would not say whether the union planned to file a formal complaint.

Police and county officials will continue negotiations tomorrow, Wild said, and officers will continue with Operation Impact at least until Friday, when the union members vote on the county's final offer.

Pub Date: 3/31/99