Ranking Youngstown officers accept buyout deal

YOUNGSTOWN — Police patrol officers will discuss an early-retirement buyout proposal on May 21. It’s being offered by the city in an effort to reduce, and possibly eliminate, layoffs at the police department.

Meanwhile, the department’s ranking officers voted today to accept a buyout deal.

Union leaders with the Youngstown Police Association, which represents about 115 patrol officers, met today with Mayor Jay Williams and his administration to discuss the proposal for the first time.

Patrol officers are being offered a buyout equal to one year’s base salary paid in equal amounts over five years.

The city administration also wants to replace those taking the buyout with new officers, who would be paid an entry-level salary less than what rookies earn now.

It would take more than the current five years of experience to get to the top of the pay scale.

A rookie officer receives about $37,000 annually in base pay plus benefits and any overtime worked. After five years, patrol officers earn a base of about $52,000 a year.

The Youngstown Police Ranking Officers unanimously voted today in favor of an early-retirement incentive — one year’s salary paid equally over five years — offered by the city administration.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com