Police Toughen Anti-Council Stance

Angry about contract negotiations that have dragged on for nearly two years, a majority of Santa Paula’s police officers have signed a document that opposes city leaders’ attendance at any officer’s funeral.

Officers are also considering joining the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to add negotiating muscle in their pay dispute.

“It is hoped that the bargaining power of the teamsters can bring about some movement in our present and future contract negotiations,” said Sgt. Steve Carter.

Meanwhile, 20 of the force’s 28 officers have signed the document stating that police would escort away any top city official who attempted to attend an officer’s funeral.

Six city firefighters, whose salary talks have also stalled, added their names to the document.

“I think everybody feels that basically the [City] Council just doesn’t care,” said Police Sgt. Gary Marshall. “It’s just amazing how few dollars are spent on public safety. It’s criminal given we have the highest crime rate in the county.”

City officials named in the document include members of the City Council, the city manager and assistant city manager. None of them could be reached Sunday for comment.

Police have been negotiating since 1997 for a 4% raise, but the city won’t budge from its 2% offer.

The officers say they deserve the larger raise because they are the lowest paid peace officers in the county.

Officers at other agencies make an average of 34% more in salary and benefits, according to a study by the Santa Paula police union.

For example, a Ventura police officer with about four years of experience makes about $53,400 in annual salary; the same position in Santa Paula pays about $41,400, according to the study.

City negotiators have maintained that there isn’t enough money in the budget to pay what the union is demanding.

“A council member recently justified a plan to raise refuse collection fees to provide the citizens with ‘the Cadillac of refuse collection.’ This, while providing the public with the Yugo of public safety,” Carter said.

Talks between the city and the police union broke down a month ago, at which time both sides agreed to have a state mediator come in and broker a deal.

The mediator has come and gone, but not before recommending that the city give its officers an 11% pay hike to bring them in line with officers at other county agencies, Marshall said.

City officials, Marshall said, have rejected the mediator’s suggestion. He said that because the union does not have binding arbitration, the city is not required to follow the mediator’s recommendation.

In addition to the salary feud, officers are fighting a demand by the city that any officer involved in an on-duty incident such as a shooting abstain from alcohol for eight hours after a shift, on his or her own time, without pay.

“They want to restrict a person’s freedom without compensation,” Marshall said.

The group document regarding funerals is the latest installment in a long line of public statements by the frustrated officers.

Two years ago the force publicly announced a vote of no confidence in now-retired Chief Walt Adair. Earlier this year, officers posted signs throughout the city warning drivers they are entering a high-crime area.