INGLEWOOD – The Inglewood Police Officers Association posted a cryptic photo to their social media indicating the department is hanging by a thread. Contract negotiations were on the June 26 regular city council agenda and all doesn’t appear to be well.
During the meeting the City Attorney didn’t have anything to report out to the public on the matter, however the mayor quipped he didn’t realize how much police officers earned.
“When I was hired I earned less than $1,000 per month,” said the mayor, who was hired in the late 70s.
Department insiders share the city is offering a nearly 23% pay increase over the next five years. That is less than the 5% annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) they enjoyed under their last contract.
Negotiations stalled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and discussions of “hero pay” is in limbo since many of the personnel who worked during the pandemic have since left the department.
Inglewood has lost close to two dozen officers since summer 2020, with close to a half dozen scheduled to depart by the end of the current fiscal year.
If public safety is the mayor and council’s priority then where is the love for our officers?
They continue to bare the brunt of low staffing, low morale, a perception the Chief is out of touch with his employees over license plates, and the union representing the rank and file appear to be being strong armed by members of the council, for election endorsements, in an effort to take it in the rear on their new contract.
Sheriff deputies appear to have taken the lead on traffic stops, and the City has extended outside law enforcement agency contracts to plug the personnel holes.
The City’s deficit continues to swell to epic proportions with the last count at $22 million, and they continue to dance around where’s the “windfall” of money that was supposed to rain down on the CIty once SoFi Stadium opened.
The ARPA money given under the Biden Administration was supposed to reimburse for staff costs. Where is it?
Why is this council hell bent on playing with the public’s safety?
1 Comment
Council members and the Mayor have taken our windfall of money. They are taking it in the form of bonuses every month. Republic gets that money as well.