The offer would have increased benefit compensation paid to officers, who have been working without a contract since January. The Police Association of Covina instead asked to return to negotiations.

"The city does not and has not taken care of its employees," said PAC President Rob Bobkiewicz at Tuesday's City Council meeting. "Employee morale is at an all-time low."

City officials acknowledged that the city pays employees less than other cities in salaries but said total value of their compensation, including benefits, are comparable. The city's finance director, chief deputy city clerk and assistant community development director have all accepted positions in other cities.

"We attempt to be fair and reasonable within the limits we have to do so," Mayor Ken Stapleton said. "It has never been the intent of the council to disrespect or take advantage of anyone."

The city has recently declared a fiscal crisis. Residents will vote on a measure renewing a utility tax that brings $5.5 million in revenue to the city on June 3. If the measure is not renewed, it will expire in 2009 and the city is scheduled to let go of about 100 employees, five of which are police officers beginning in July.

"All the unions know that if we don't get the tax back we have to make cuts," said City Manager Paul Philips. "If it does come back we will be in a better position to negotiate."
Bobkiewicz said the police association was going to hold off negotiations until the utility tax vote but certain things had come up and they decided to return to negotiations.

The PAC just hired Lackie and Dammeier LLP, a well known law firm that represents many other police officer associations. The firm tried representing PAC in the past and in 2003 sued Police Chief Kim Raney claiming he threatened and intimidated union members as they were about to vote on the legal representation.

Raney did not return several calls but Bobkiewicz said Raney supports the association's decision to hire Lackie and Dammeier.

Police officers in Arcadia, Sierra Madre and West Covina have received pay and benefits increases recently.

Covina police officers monthly salary ranges from $4,714 to $5,729 compared to officers in West Covina whose monthly salary ranges from $5,228 to $6,356.

"The mentality (of the city) is to not pay employees fair market value," Bobkiewicz said. "The citizens deserve more than what they're getting out of the management of this city."

It is more than just the police association that is affected by low paying salaries, said Bobkiewicz.