In a nearly unanimous vote, Indianapolis police and Marion County sheriff's deputies rejected Mayor Bart Peterson's proposal to merge the two departments.
"This plan does not incorporate, we think, effectively the needs of citizens of Indianapolis and Marion County," said Vince Huber, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 86, in explaining the lopsided vote.
Monday's straw poll on the consolidation proposal, taken by the FOP, was open to any police officer or deputy, whether active duty or retired. Of the 1,045 who voted, only 22 favored the plan.
Huber said one sticking point is that the plan would make the Marion County sheriff the main law enforcement official for both the county and city.
Huber said he and the FOP would be willing to consider consolidation if they were asked to help plan the process, but they have not been consulted.
The police union was not expected to endorse Indianapolis Works, but Indianapolis Deputy Mayor Steve Campbell said the Peterson administration hopes the city still can bring officers over to their side.
"We completely understand their concerns, and we pledge to talk to them and see how many of those we can address," he said.
If the consolidation plan isn't approved by state lawmakers, Campbell added, it could force police layoffs or cause less police protection in outlying areas of Marion County. Peterson has also threatened massive tax increases if his plan fails.
On the day of the straw poll, the union received a letter from corporation counsel A. Scott Chinn warning that police officers may be laid off if the mayor's plan does not pass.
Peterson's proposal, unveiled last August, would also consolidate fire departments, eliminate current township governments and give the mayor more control over local government finances.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Professional Firefighters Local 416 has endorsed the plan.