Police Association Expected to Sue Over Benefits Vote

A judge may end up having the final say on the issue of benefits for unwed partners of city employees. On Wednesday, an attorney for the El Paso Municipal Police Officers’ Association is expected to file a lawsuit against the city, alleging constitutional and contract violations. The lawsuit will specifically involve one retired police officer and one current police officer, but the litigation could potentially affect all current and retired city employees. “What you have is the government telling some people, ‘Ok you can enter into health care insurance,’ and other people that they cannot,” attorney for the EPMPOA, Jim Jopling, said. “So when you do that you are impinging on other people’s freedom.” Jopling said he understands the tough position of city representatives not wanting to go against the will of the voters, but he believes they should have placed a repeal onto a ballot. “It’s the will of the voters that they have the authority to repeal that statute. When that statute offends our ideas of freedom, they need to be leaders,” Jopling said. “They need to take the leadership role and fix this problem, but I don’t think they’re going to do that, so I think we’re going to have to have a judge do it.”