Union disqualification sought

MESA - One of the two Mesa police labor unions vying to represent officers in negotiations with the city has petitioned to have the other disqualified for violating election rules.

The Mesa Police Association and the Mesa chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police have spent the past two weeks conducting a heated election.

Last week, MPA president Sgt. Fabian Cota was suspended with pay while department officials conduct an internal investigation into whether he was untruthful during an inquiry about alleged election improprieties.

Both groups agreed not to distribute campaign material on city time. However, a flier supportive of MPA was e-mailed to police staff by its statewide organization, the Arizona Police Association.

Cota is accused of making untruthful statements when questioned about the flier by the City Manager's Office.

FOP President Bryan Soller petitioned to have MPA removed from the ballot over the flier.

That would make his union responsible for representing 750 sworn officers during "meet and confer" sessions with department and city officials on policy issues.