DOWNEY - Police Chief Rick Esteves has agreed to defer a negotiated salary raise, saving taxpayers $26,730.Esteves, who can earn a maximum annual salary of $202,764, was due a 4.75% salary increase this month according to the terms of his contract. It is the second consecutive year the police chief has put off the raise, city officials said. Esteves is now scheduled to receive his raise June 25, 2012.

********** Published: June 16, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 9