Downey : Police Get a New Contract With 6% Raise Over 2 Years

After a three-year stalemate, Downey police officers have a new contract that includes a 6% pay increase over two years, and stipends for Spanish-speaking officers.

The Downey City Council approved the contract Tuesday night by a unanimous vote.

Police officers have not received pay raises since July, 1990, under a two-year contract signed with the Police Officers Assn. in 1988, said Sgt. Mike Hadley, vice president of the association.

The new contract gives 118 police officers a raise, retroactive to January. They will receive another 3% raise in January, 1994. The raise will cost the city nearly $500,000 over two years.

It does not include police captains or the chief, who are covered under a separate contract, Hadley said.

Monthly pay for officers now ranges from $2,791 to $4,895, Personnel Director Chris Birch said. It will increase to $2,875 to $5,042 a month. Spanish-speaking officers will get an extra $50 a month, he said.