Patrolmen get a 4 percent raise each year of three-year pact.
By:Vanessa S. Holt
FLORENCE After a year of negotiations, the Florence Township Police Patrolmen’s Association contract was approved by the Township Council last week, giving patrolmen a 4 percent raise each year of the three-year pact.
The contract, which is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2002, expires Dec. 31, 2004.
Township Business Administrator Richard Brook said the contract was about a year behind schedule because an independent arbitrator was called in to mediate between the township and the local patrolmen’s association.
"It’s not unusual for police contracts to be six months to a year behind schedule," said Mr. Brook. "The officers were extremely professional at handling their duties while the contract was being negotiated."
Under the new contract, a 2003 graduate of the police academy would receive a $31,399 starting salary, while a new graduate hired in 2004 would receive a starting salary of $32,655.
Patrolmen’s salaries were previously divided into four "steps" based on experience, education, training and other factors, but will now be divided into five steps, said Mr. Brook. The ending salary is the same, but the salary increments between steps are less steep, he said.
The highest salary possible for a fifth-step patrolman under the new contract would be $61,233 in 2004.
The new contract also includes a small increase in the clothing allowance permitted to officers. Officers purchase and maintain their own uniforms throughout the year, Mr. Brook said. The allowance this year will be $1,630 and next year it will be $1,695, he said.
The maximum amount retiring officers can be paid for unused sick time was increased to $18,180 for this year and $18,625 for 2004.
Because the contract is a year behind schedule, salary and other increases will be retroactive to last year, said Mr. Brook.

