Francis: Kill DROP … For Some

I decided to follow up on my curiosity about whether mayoral hopeful Steve Francis supported incumbent Jerry Sanders’ announced effort to kill the DROP program for all current employees.

Francis’ new spokeswoman, Jennifer Kerns, responded with an e-mailed statement (emphasis mine):

Steve’s priority is making sure that San Diego police officers receive competitive wages, so as not to lose officers to other jurisdictions. Although the Mayor states that firefighters are paid market conditions, police officers are not. Steve doesn’t feel that raising wages and maintaining the DROP program for non-public safety employees is financially feasible.

I guess what she’s saying is that Francis would support getting rid of DROP but keeping it for cops and firefighters.

I also got a copy of the Police Officer Association’s questionnaire that candidates for city offices must fill out if they want the POA’s endorsement.

If these two questions are any indication, it’s clear this is on the union’s collective mind:

WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE DROP PROGRAM?

WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF THE DROP PROGRAM FOR POLICE OFFICERS?

You probably don’t want to answer that you think DROP is bad if you’re hoping for their nod.

— SCOTT LEWIS