More money for West Covina cops, firefighters
West Covina police officers and firefighters got a raise, Alison Hewit reports. Do you think Monrovia is jealous?
Raises for police officers and firefighters are expected to cost $1 million more than was budgeted for the departments this year.
Meanwhile, the city has estimated a $2 million deficit at the end of the year.
But proponents said the contracts will keep the departments competitive and attract good candidates. Other cities, including Sierra Madre and Arcadia, have increased pay and benefits recently.
"This is a good pay raise that brings us closer to what other departments are paying, and they've increased our retiree medical to keep up with the growing medical costs," said Detective Scott Fahey, vice president of the city's Police Officers Association. "That's a big deal. We're real happy with that, and it's going to make us really appealing."
I asked the same question in the Monrovia post: Do we know exactly what the salaries are for the firefighters and police officers?
Forward thinking...the article reads; Councilman Mike Touhey said the pay hike would attract and keep better officers who wouldn't get the city sued for rookie mistakes.
"I'd rather put money on the front side and keep and retain and get quality officers," he said, "than pay well below the minimum and get officers who wouldn't ever cut it here."