City, Police Union to Resume Negotiations

Stalled contract talks between the city of Simi Valley and the police union will resume today, a month after they originally broke down over the issue of binding arbitration on disciplinary matters.

“Any time we have an opportunity to talk [with the union], there’s some optimism that we may be able to come to some agreement,” said Assistant City Manager Laura Herron, the city’s chief negotiator.

Rank-and-file police have been without a contract since July 1. The main sticking point has been how police officers are punished for misconduct.

Under the present system, officers subject to discipline may appeal the decision of a captain or the police chief to a state administrative hearing officer. But the city is not bound by the hearing officer’s decision.

The 100-member Simi Valley Police Officers Assn. has rejected the city’s raise offers, and is seeking a one-year--rather than three-year--pact that includes binding arbitration.

Officers claim that binding arbitration takes the politics out of discipline. But city officials contend that the process allows an outsider--who is not beholden to voters--to make decisions that belong in elected leaders’ hands.