ORANGE : City OKs 5% Raise for Police Employees

The City Council has unanimously approved two contracts giving a 5% raise to sworn and non-sworn employees of the Police Department.

Under the new contracts, valid until June 24, 1995, Police Department employees will no longer be able to trade vacation or compensatory time for a cash payout.

“I think, given the economic time, it’s a real commitment on the council’s part to support the officers,” Police Chief John R. Robertson said. “But unfortunately, this contract really only puts the officers in the middle of the road compared to other cities in the county.”

Senior members of the Orange Police Assn., which represents 202 rank-and-file police officers, dispatchers, records clerks and parking control officers, will be eligible for an additional 5% increase.

To qualify for the increase, employees must have more than six years’ experience and not receive other special-assignment pay.

Over the next two years, the contract with the Orange Police Assn. will cost the city $184,278, according to a city staff report.

Members of the Police Management Assn., which represents 30 police captains, lieutenants and sergeants, will receive an additional 10 hours of holiday time per year.

Their contract will cost the city $144,640 over the next two years.

The 5% pay increase is retroactive to March 6.