Campbell cops awarded bonuses

Staff report

CAMPBELL

A conciliator has awarded officers in the Campbell Police Department signing bonuses at a time when the city is going through some financial difficulties.

The conciliator awarded the police department officers with a signing bonus of $3,000 each, according to 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner.

The department went into conciliation because of stalled contract negotiations.

Mayor Nick Phillips says this will be a big problem because the city already has some financial troubles, and officials will have a difficult time paying that money.

City council rejected a fact-finder’s report from earlier this year that called for citywide raises.

“To be fiscally responsible, there’s no way we can sustain any kind of raises at this time,” said Council President George Levendis.

The police department bonuses will cost the city $36,000 – maybe a lot more if they have to pay other department union members because of a so-called “me-too” clause in their contracts. That could mean another $50,000 to $60,000, the television station reported.