In private business, that may be fine. I don't consider public service, paid with public tax dollars, to be a "market." Holding taxpayers hostage--which is really what's happening here--is not acceptable. The cops can still leave, but if they stay, maybe they should start looking at wearing the uniform as a privilege, and not a burden for which they should be paid.
Unless the cops are conscripts or slaves it is a free market. They are free to work for whomever they want and can hired by.
The city should pay whatever it takes to keep the talent they need. The city is just another employer.
I agree the cops are in the wrong here. I’ve read other stories about this and they were complaining about how long it took to get dressed. I don’t remember the exact about but they were saying it took about 45 mins to get dressed.
lets see, pants, shoes, shirt, vest, best, hat, oh and donuts. Yeah I can see where that would take 45 mins each way. 5 mins for the clothes and 40 mins for donuts and coffee.