Police Exodus Over Pay Issues Feared

The city’s top administrator has begun holding discussions with police officers after a citizens group warned that up to 12 employees--more than one-third of the force--are ready to flee the poorly paid department for jobs elsewhere in the county.

Gary Marshall, president of the Santa Paula Police Officers Assn., said Wednesday that the union is hopeful that the inquiry will bring results.

“I’ve seen an uplift in the morale in the last day--the guys walking around with a smile on their faces. They can hardly wait to talk,” he said. “What they’re waiting to see is, are we being paid lip service by the council . . . or is it a serious inquiry?”

After hearing about the possible exodus, the City Council Tuesday asked Murray Warden, the acting city manager, to investigate the department’s problems and report back in two weeks.

Cmdr. Bob Gonzales confirmed that at least four officers are close to taking new jobs, including two sergeants with 15 years experience each.

“This is very devastating to our organization if we lose these people,” Gonzales said, adding that the agency’s 33 officers are the lowest paid in the county. “We lose probably three officers, on average, a year.” Members of a self-appointed citizens committee highlighted the possible officer losses while commenting on the “discouraging” response Police Chief Walt Adair gave to several recommendations the group made in August to improve law enforcement.

The 11-member Public Safety Strategy Team had urged the city to consider contracting with the county Sheriff’s Department for police services and to seek more money for police salaries. But Adair downplayed the group’s suggestions and the financial benefits of contracting.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen the council give some strong direction that had some teeth in it,” said group member Kay Wilson-Bolton, a former mayor. “I have felt for some time that nobody was taking us very seriously.”