Police Union Hires Auditor as Contract Talks Falter
Amid growing acrimony, the police union has entered its second month without a contract, and a closed-door City Council discussion on the matter has failed to resolve differences.
Representatives of the 130-member El Monte Police Officers Assn. have rejected an undisclosed city offer concerning salaries and bonuses.
In an attempt to step up pressure on City Council members, union officials have hired an outside auditor to review the city’s financial records for the last three years.
Union officials say they made the decision to hire Ford Sauvajot Management Group of San Diego after city officials said there was no money for raises.
Union leaders said the city trumpeted the more than $1 million it saved last year by switching to county firefighters from a city-run department.
But city officials say they simply have no extra money to offer the officers.
The police union has clashed with Mayor Patricia Wallach in recent years, and during several election cycles made efforts to back an opponent to oust her.
The City Council is expected to discuss the issue again next week.
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