Brooksville police vote to join union

BROOKSVILLE -- By a single vote, the members of the Brooksville Police Department have moved to become part of the Pinellas County Police Benevolent Association. Of the 16 employees eligible to vote, 11 cast ballots and the final tally was 6-5 in favor of the union. The votes were tallied late Thursday and reported to the state Public Employee Relations Commission, which has certified the vote.

"We hope to make it a better agency for the officers, the city and for the residents of Brooksville,'' said Michael Krohn, an attorney representing the union.

The union and the city are expected to begin collective bargaining later this month.

Joel Anderson, Times staff writer