EVERETT — The Everett City Council on Wednesday approved 5 percent raises for most of the city’s police force retroactive to Jan. 1.
In addition, police officers will receive pay raises in 2009 and 2010 that vary depending upon the rate of inflation. The raises are part of a three-year labor contract with the city’s police union, which represents more than 150 police officers and sergeants.
The raises are expected to cost the city nearly $700,000 extra in this year’s budget. The police department’s total budget for 2008 is $25.6 million. Labor accounts for about $19.8 million.
Under the agreement, a starting police officer will earn a base salary of about $53,000 and an experienced sergeant a base salary of about $87,000.
Officers can earn more after working for a number of years, working on specialty units or by earning credits or degrees from universities or training schools.
The highest-paid police officer last year earned nearly $100,000, including overtime. The highest-paid sergeant in 2007 earned just under $110,000, including overtime.
The Everett Police Officers Association’s last contract expired in January.
The new contract calls for annual cost-of-living adjustments based on inflation, as well as additional pay raises.
For this year, the 5 percent pay raise includes a cost of living adjustment. Pay raises in 2009 and 2010 will vary depending on the Consumer Price Index.
The city will continue to cover 100 percent of monthly insurance premiums for members of the police union and their dependents, said Sharon DeHaan, the city’s labor relations director.
The new contract is “fair to the association and fair to the city,” said Tim Chin, the police union’s vice president.
The new contract gives officers up to 121 hours of paid time off in lieu of annual holiday pay in addition to 120 hours of vacation time for a first-year officer to 224 hours for a veteran with 25 or more years.
After a probationary period, new hires start with 280 hours of sick leave and can accrue up to 1,040 hours of sick leave. At retirement, union members can cash out the equivalent of 260 hours of accrued sick leave.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.
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