As unbelievable as this may sound, a union boss with New Jersey’s Police Benevolent Association (a union that represents police in Monmouth County, NJ) is pressing charges within the union against one of his own union members for violating his membership loyalty oath to the union–for doing his job as a New Jersey state legislator.

According to the Asbury Park Press, Republican NJ Assemblyman David Rible voted for Governor Chris Christie’s pension and benefit reform last month.

The problem is, Rible is also a member of the PBA.

According to Michael Deroian, who sits on the PBA’s executive committee and who has filed the charges, Rible’s vote violates his membership oath which states (in part): “…and I do further promise — and declare I will not — by word, deed, sign or token — injure a fellow member of this Association.”

“It’s a little insulting that a member of the state PBA would try and bully a state legislator at a time when we’re trying to fix the state pension system and make it secure for the future,” Rible said.

“I also took an oath to represent the 220,000 people in the 11th District,” added Rible. “Those are the people I represent, not just a special-interest group.”

Rible, 43, said that he had, nonetheless, listened to the PBA and other unions about their concerns over proposed reforms, and took those points to other lawmakers and Gov. Chris Christie’s office.

“I was trying to be helpful,” Rible said.

Rible was one of 46 Assembly members, including 32 Republicans, who voted last month in favor of a landmark pension and benefit reform bill to require local police to pay an extra 1.5 percent of their pay toward their pensions.

Apparently, to the NJ PBA union bosses, “To Protect and To Serve” only applies to unions, the taxpayers be damned.

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“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.” Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776

X-posted.