SPD approves pay hike
In a move that surprised no one, Seattle Police officers just approved a resolution that will make them the highest paid police department in the state.
The measure got 90 percent approval from those returning votes and now just needs to be ratified by the City Council.
Some highlights of the new pay scale:
- An 8 percent base increase for 2007, 4 percent in 2008 and 5.5 percent in 2009. Entry-level officers would get an immediate 8 percent pay raise on top of the overall pay raises. In 2010, the increase would be between 6 percent and 9 percent, depending on cost-of-living increases.
- Back pay of $6,807 for 2007.
- No changes in officers' health care. The city covers about 95 percent of the costs.
- A $5,000 hiring bonus, a $2,500 stipend for equipment and compensation for up to $14,000 in moving expenses for new recruits.
- A new 10-hour patrol shift for officers to help meet the new neighborhood policing plan, which would deploy more officers at different times of the day and in certain neighborhoods.
Sounds like a pretty nice time to become a cop. Besides, of course, all the whispers of corruption and lack of public trust.
