Police Union Takes Issue With Mendelson's Comments

Kristopher Baumann, chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1, which represents D.C. officers, said he has a problem with Council member Phil Mendelson's comments earlier about officers' discretion in giving out tickets.

In an earlier debate about legislation that will require drivers to remove snow from their vehicles, Mendelson said, "It seems very, very...subjective on the part of a police officer...If a police officer doesn't like me, I'll get a ticket."

Baumann said tickets are not based on popularity. "If that was the case," he said, "Mendeslon wouldn't have a license he would have gotten so many tickets."

Mendelson is chairman of the council Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary. He and Baumann don't always see eye to eye.