FOP tells members to refuse holiday overtime

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - A memo from the police union head is raising some controversy.

Fraternal Order of Police President Dean Angelo is urging its members to reject "non-mandatory overtime" over Labor Day weekend.

September 2, 3, 4, and 5 would be "FOP Unity Days" and that would mean Chicago police officers should reject any effort to get them to work non-mandatory overtime, according to Angelo.

The city of chicago that has seen a tremendous amount of violence. Over the Fourth of July weekend, it was one of the deadliest in eight years.

Angelo thinks there has been too much disrespect of Chicago police officers and police officers all around the country.

"This is an unprecedented time for police officers in not only Chicago but elsewhere," Angelo said. "We've witnessed these murderous attacks, these ambushes, and we have looked for a voice to come out and support us. We have looked for condemnation from politicians, from clergy, from community members and it seems at times we're the only voice that is out there."

Angelo is instead urging officers to spend the days with their families.

"This is a family and I think the connection to families is important for us. And whether it's our police family, our personal families, that we should be with them for the holiday weekend," Angelo said.

"Your kids are going back to school, it is the close of summer, you have been working your backside off for a long time now, days off have been canceled, extended tours have been requested so what we're asking the members is consider to not put in for secondary employment for those four days. Spend it in the backyard, spend it somewhere else with your kids and your families and relax a little bit."