“What they are trying to do is invoke the aura and authority of the police force,” said Fred Feller, who’s active in the anti-minicasino initiative.

But city leaders and the president of the Lakewood police officers guild say the independent guild has the right to participate in election campaigns as long as officers are clearly off duty.

The state Attorney General’s Office and the Public Disclosure Commission both appear to back them up.

“When we took our oath, we did not give up our constitutional right to free speech,” said Brian Wurts, a neighborhood police officer and president of the guild.

He was speaking at a City Council meeting Monday night where about 200 people showed up representing both sides of Proposition 1. Several people stated their views on whether minicasinos are good or bad for Lakewood.

It all comes with less than 30 days until Nov. 4, when Lakewood voters will choose whether to close four minicasinos and ban others from opening.

City Manager Andrew Neiditz has proposed two alternate budgets for 2009, one of which accounts for $2.85 million in lost gambling tax revenue if the ballot measure passes.

That budget calls for eliminating 11 positions in the police department. It is the largest proposed cut of any city department in terms of people, but the smallest in terms of percent (5 percent).

Wurts, president of the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, confirmed that about 20 police officers and their families met about 9 a.m. Saturday at the Great American Casino and canvassed the city for much of the day. He said they will do it again this Saturday.

Wurts said he told the officers “under no circumstances are you to say you are a Lakewood police officer. You represent the guild.”

State law prohibits government employees from campaigning on an issue using public resources or while they’re working on the city’s payroll.

City Manager Andrew Neiditz said he and City Attorney Heidi Wachter instructed all city employees about what behavior was inappropriate.

Wurts said the guild members weren’t on duty or in uniform Saturday. He claims some officers spoke with a supporter of the ban, who called the officers’ actions “despicable.”

Feller said he was out posting signs encouraging voters to approve Proposition 1 when he saw someone handing out fliers urging voters to reject it.

The man, Feller said, wore a black T-shirt with “Lakewood Police Guild” printed across his chest in white letters while campaigning against the measure.

Feller said he asked the man who his employer was, but the man indicated he’d been instructed not to disclose it.

Feller said he knew the man was a Lakewood officer, and over the next hour he saw at least four other people with guild T-shirts urging people to reject Proposition 1.

The 60-year-old attorney and other members of Save Lakewood said it’s unethical for city police officers to use their positions to influence voters. Even if it’s legal, it’s “ill-advised and a breach of public trust,” Feller said.

Saturday wasn’t the first time minicasino foes have raised the question of police involvement in the campaign.

Last month, when Lakewood leaders appointed the “For” and “Against” statements in the voters guide, City Councilman Ron Cronk questioned why Wurts was selected to help write the “Against” statement.

David Anderson, president of Save Lakewood, said he’s not upset with Lakewood police officers who are legitimately concerned about losing their jobs if the measure passes.

But by proposing the cuts in police and perpetuating “fear-mongering,” Anderson said, city leaders are pitting officers against members of the community who want casinos banned.

“We were battling the casinos. Now we’re battling the Police Department,” said Anderson, who has encouraged Lakewood leaders to insulate public safety from any cuts. “We don’t want to battle the Police Department.”

Neiditz said it would be foolish to think city employees wouldn’t be concerned about possible cuts to the services they provide and to their livelihoods.

“The question is can $2.8 million be cut without reducing police?” he said. “My answer is no.”

Brent Champaco: 253-597-8653