City of Downey reaches tentative deal with police officers on new contract

Photo by Pam Lane, DowneyDailyPhotos.com

DOWNEY -- The city of Downey has reached a tentative agreement with the Downey Police Officers' Association on a new 3-year contract for rank-and-file police officers. 

The contract, which was unanimously approved by the City Council in a special meeting on Monday, is retroactive to July 1 and gives officers a series of pay raises:

■ a 2% raise effective Aug. 28, 2017;
■ a second 2% raise effective June 18, 2018;
■ and a 3% salary bump effective July 1, 2019. 

Officers also will receive a one-time $400 bonus payment. Police officers will continue their 6% cost sharing of reportable earnings toward pension costs for the 3% at age 50 retirement formula.

The contract will cost the city of Downey an additional $1.78 million over the next three years. 

The agreement covers 112 Downey police officers, including sergeants. 

Councilman Alex Saab thanked Council, City Manager Gilbert Livas, City staff, and the Downey Police Officers Association for "doing this methodically," and said he was "proud to support this motion."

"I think we're a strong city, because we are fiscally responsible without compromising public safety," said Saab. "I think this continues to move our city in the right direction..."