SIMI VALLEY : Council OKs New 4-Year Police Contract

The Simi Valley City Council has approved a new four-year contract with the city’s police officers, providing for a 2.25% salary hike in the first year.

The contract, endorsed unanimously by the Simi Valley Peace Officers Assn. on Friday, takes effect June 28. It affects 99 police officers and sergeants.

Entry-level officers earn $34,674 annually, which would rise to $35,450 under the new pact. A new sergeant’s salary would increase from $45,331 to $46,350 per year.

The officers will receive a 1.5% raise during the second year of the contract, but no increase during the third year. For the fourth year, the city has agreed to a formula that would bring the officers’ pay in line with that of comparable departments.

The new contract also provides health benefit increases, an expanded education incentive and new guidelines for retirement. It will cost the city an additional $211,600 during the fiscal year that begins July 1, said Laura Herron, city personnel and budget administrator.

“I think we’re pleased,” Sgt. Fred James, association president, said Tuesday. “We reached a fair and equitable agreement, considering the circumstances.” Mayor Greg Stratton concurred.

If the economy improves dramatically, Simi Valley officers’ pay will catch up under the formula provided in the fourth year of the contract, James said.