Vote on Police Pay Hike Initiative Delayed : Officials Want Clarification of Measure Proposed for June Ballot

A vote by the San Diego City Council to place a proposed police pay increase on the June ballot was delayed Monday until Feb. 11 so the city attorney’s office can clarify what it says are legal problems with the initiative.

The measure, sponsored by the San Diego Police Officers’ Assn., calls for a one-time pay increase of up to 17% for police officers, which could cost the city an additional $10 million. It qualified for the ballot when supporters gathered 73,000 signatures; now, a vote of the council is required to place it on the ballot.

But some city officials, facing tight budget constraints, have objected to the initiative. Acting Mayor Ed Struiksma opposes it because he said it would hurt the city’s goal of hiring an additional 143 police officers.

And City Atty. John Witt has warned it may have some legal problems because the city charter says the power to set salaries lies with the council.

On Monday, City Manager Sylvester Murray asked council members to postpone their vote on the initiative and give Witt more time to brief them privately on the legal ramifications.

“He has stated that there are some legal problems with the initiative, but hasn’t said explicitly that it is illegal,” Murray explained after the council meeting. Murray said he also wants to study the fiscal impact of the measure, which he called “ill-advised” and “extravagant.”

Police association representatives say the raise is necessary to boost sagging morale in the department. They say the San Diego police pay--the starting annual salary is $20,000, and a five-year veteran gets $29,000--ranks 47th among police agencies in the state.