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GREENSBORO - Officials with the Greensboro Police Officers Association have asked the acting city manager to meet with them to discuss concerns about the police chief.

In a letter dated Aug. 12, association attorney William Hill sought a meeting with acting city manager Mitchell Johnson while calling Chief David Wray "dishonest" and charging him with working "behind our backs to undermine the very promises he made to us."

Wray declined to comment late Monday and directed questions to Johnson's office.

Johnson, reached at home Monday, said he would meet with officers outside their role with the association to discuss individual concerns. He declined to address the association's accusations.

"I'm certainly willing to talk with ... officers, as officers," Johnson said. "By law, I cannot negotiate with the union."

"I'm willing to listen," he said, "but I expect employees to work through their management to address concerns."

The association claims Wray promised two months ago to change work schedules in exchange for the organization's support amid allegations the department unfairly conducts internal surveillance of black officers.

Wray previously has denied an agreement was ever made.

Hill's letter also says Wray has intimidated members of his command staff when those members attempted to address concerns about rotating shifts.

"These are serious allegations, but they are not made without substance," Hill wrote.

The association wants Wray to put officers back on a set schedule that doesn't rotate. As it stands, officers work about two weeks on a given shift before switching to different hours.

Association leaders say such shifts affect family life and negatively affect health and morale. Wray has said rotating shifts make more well-rounded officers.

Many law-enforcement agencies in North Carolina, including the Guilford County Sheriff's Department, use some form of rotation.

Hill's letter came three days after an Aug. 9 meeting with Wray.

Hill also declined to comment on the contents of the letter. "I hope we'll be able to meet with" city staff, he said Monday night.

Contact Eric J.S. Townsend at 373-7008 or etownsend@news-record.com