NJ Town Ordered to Pay for Officers' Helicopter-Flying Lessons

Classes had nothing to do with job, but union contract makes no distinction

WEST WINDSOR — An arbitrator has ruled against the township in a battle over who should pay for helicopter flying lessons taken by two police officers, but an appeal is already under way, officials said.

Owing to a loophole in their contract, two West Windsor officers were able to go to helicopter training school and bill it all to the township. The contract stated the officers could be reimbursed with money available to help them achieve a higher academic standing, but it didn't specify that the courses had to be job related.