Police unions put off raises, reach deal

DOWNEY - The city of Downey and the unions representing the Downey Police Department have come to terms on a contract that was ratified Tuesday.The Downey Police Officers Association, which represents rank-and-file officers, and the Downey Police Management Association, which includes captains and lieutenants, both agreed to defer pay raises and a .5% increase in education incentive pay. Police officers had been scheduled to receive 5.5% raises July 1 in the final year of a 3-year contract, but unanimously voted to defer pay raises, saving the city up to $800,000 this fiscal year, officials with the city said. Police captains and lieutenants also put off raises, saving the city an additional $115,000, records show. Police Chief Rick Esteves, who was set to receive a 4.75% pay raise July 1, deferred his raise as well. The new contract with the DPOA runs through June 30, 2012 with a union option to extend it to 2013. According to the new deal, police officers will receive 4.25% raises June 27, 2011. If the union chooses to extend the contract, officers will receive an additional 4.25% pay raise on June 25, 2012.

********** Published: July 15, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 13