CONTRACT TALKS Council: No more money for police

The cost of the two pacts would have been more than $1.26 million.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Citing costs, city council unanimously rejected a fact finder's report that called for the city to pay police officers' contribution to their pension fund and get 4 percent pay increases in 2005 and 2006.
The rejection means the process to develop a new contract with the union representing patrol officers moves on to conciliation.
"We don't have the money," said Councilman James A. Pugh, D-6th.
Councilman Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, chairman of council's finance committee, pointed to the combined costs of the fact finder's report on the patrolmen's union and a conciliator's conclusions effective earlier this year for the higher-ranking officers.
The total for both over three years is more than $1.26 million.
The vote followed an executive session.
Declining revenue
Despite passage by voters last month of a renewal of the 0.5 percent income tax for the police and fire departments, income tax receipts have been declining because of plant closings, downsizing and corporate mergers.
"We were worried there may have to be cuts to other general fund departments," Novak said.
Under the contract that expired Dec. 31, Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association members with three or more years of service earn $20.09 hourly. Those with up to one year of service earn $14.07 hourly.
"We've made a commitment to the residents for money every year for street resurfacing," Novak said. "I'm going to continue to push for that in the future."
Strip-search allegations
Council also approved legislation that included allocating $5,000 for a special prosecutor to determine whether police officers performed illegal strip-searches. Atty. John H. Gibbon, law director of Cleveland Heights, has agreed to review the case to determine if criminal charges should be filed against the officers.
The rates are $185 per hour for partners and $175 per hour for associates.
Pugh cast the dissenting vote on the legislation. He said he views settlements already reached between the city and those who sued saying police officers illegally strip-searched them as plea bargains.
"Those officers have already said they do it with everyone [strip-searches]," Pugh said. "That's evidence, but no one has been disciplined."
Greg Hicks, law director, has said that he wanted to wait until the civil lawsuits were settled before asking for a review.
denise_dick@vindy.com