Police Chief Patrols Streets in Sickout
South Gate Police Chief Ronald George put on a uniform and patrolled city streets Monday when the majority of the 81 officers in his department engaged in a sickout to protest the salary and benefit package offered by the city.
Most of the sergeants, detectives and patrol officers failed to report to work Sunday night and Monday. The officers, members of the South Gate Police Officers Assn., are asking for more than 11% in salary increases and the city has offered 8%, according to City Hall sources.
The city has been negotiating with the police union since April. A two-year contract expired June 30. City Atty. Bruce Boogaard said the two sides had reached a compromise but that the association rejected the agreement.
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