Letters to the Editor 1-16-2020
Negotiation update Dear ER: In case you have seen signs around the City about the Hermosa Beach Police and wondered why, they stem from the City’s labor negotiations with the union distributing the signs, the Hermosa Beach Police Officers Association (HBPOA). The City has met with the HBPOA 17 times since April 1, 2019, to reach an agreement. The City has not proposed a substitute police agency, such as the Sheriff’s Department. Recruitment and retention of officers is a priority for the City. Our City Manager, Interim Chief of Police and Human Resource personnel have joined the HBPD’s recruiting efforts. The City Manager also recently initiated a sign-on bonus program that will provide up to $30,000 in bonuses for joining the HBPD to entry-level and pre-service recruits and up to $40,000 to “laterals,” which are qualified officers from other law enforcement agencies. This is independent of the HBPOA agreement and goes into effect now. On January 9, the City offered the HBPOA a market adjustment to its compensation proposal that reflects recent increases in other cities’ police compensation. The new proposal would increase compensation so police officers’ and sergeants’ total…
Read this story on easyreadernews.com