FOP worried about officers' accommodations during Francis' visit

The union that represents Philadelphia police officers is raising concerns about how its members will get to work and where they might be housed during Pope Francis' visit next month.

"As of this date, the city has revealed no plans to the [union] regarding your working conditions during the papal visit," John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, wrote in a letter to members on Monday.

"The FOP is opposed to housing police officers for the duration of the papal visit," McNesby wrote.

Mark McDonald, spokesman for Mayor Nutter, said the city's plans for its employees, including police, were still being worked out.

"When the detailed staffing plan is complete, all police officers will be informed of their assignments and related issues. We expect to have that information by the end of the month, giving officers 3½ weeks' notice," McDonald said.

"We are similarly working with other city employees and their union representatives," he said.

In an interview Tuesday, McNesby said he understood the need for secrecy about security when Francis visits Sept. 26 and 27, but "the world ain't stopping because the pope's coming."

McNesby said that if the city forces officers to sleep at their work locations that weekend, the city must pay them for the entire time.

"It's going to be a hefty bill," he said.

215-854-5983 @RobertMoran215