The following is provided in an effort to convey additional pertinent information to the community on this important topic and illustrate that the City is making every effort to be responsive to MPOA’s request within the confines of state law.
MARTINEZ – The Martinez Police Officers Association (MPOA) recently released a post on Twitter and Facebook, as well as a letter to the Martinez News-Gazette and East County Today, expressing their concerns with the Martinez Police Department’s ability to recruit and retain officers given their current compensation. The MPOA asserts in this statement that the City is not responding to their request for an immediate salary increase, and thus is prioritizing other community issues and projects over the public’s safety. The following is provided in an effort to convey additional pertinent information to the community on this important topic and illustrate that the City is making every effort to be responsive to MPOA’s request within the confines of state law.
Last Thursday, March 22nd, management staff, on behalf of the City Council, informed the MPOA that the Council recognizes and shares the MPOA’s strong concerns regarding recruitment and retention. The safety of Martinez residents and business owners is of the highest priority for the City Council and, even though the City’s current contract with MPOA is closed and does not expire until June 30, 2019, the City expressed its willingness to discuss a salary increase with MPOA. However, any actions taken to address the concerns of the MPOA must take into consideration the impact on the City’s overall budget, including other City services and employees. Additionally, in order to effectuate any change in their compensation, it is necessary to engage in the legal meet and confer process as outlined by the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA) in the California Government Code. Last Thursday, the City attempted to initiate that meet and confer process with MPOA in accordance with the MMBA, but they declined to open the relevant sections of their contract.
It is my hope, as well as that of the City Council, that all parties return to the table to discuss more viable options for police officer compensation that will improve the department’s ability to attract and retain officers in a fiscally responsible manner.
– Mayor Rob Schroder
All Martinez Residents and Citizens, please come to the City Council meeting on April 4th @700pm and show your support! 525 Henrietta St
Can we please, please ditch this mayor?
Martini completely agree. All he wants is his ball team at the expense and safety of his constituents who pay his salary.
Donald P. Mar 29, 2018 at 10:24 am
Bonds are not meant for day to day expenses. Bonds are for capital improvements. We are at this juncture because of long term neglect by city officials in dealing with normal, routine and regular expenses. Another example besides Police priorities is the street maintenance issue. Anyone including the council can tell you that the bond just passed for streets is inadequate. Long term planning is the answer-it’s essential! If attention was given to spending thoughtfully the property tax money over the long haul, we would not be so far behind. Even a bond for police services would be only a temporary fix. We need leadership at City Hall. There has been plenty of time to demonstrate this by the Mayor and council. Going through so many City managers was not helpful either. And I am convinced that we need term limits for the Office of Mayor. Why not start there! Most people listen to the Mayor tout that there is a surplus…a rainy day fund every year. Not saying that this isn’t a good thing….but I do say it’s a facade. People think we must be doing well-if we have a budget surplus but losing PD Officers in droves after spending time and money on their training and using command staff to do Patrol work is further evidence of the absurdity! We need a hard plan to move forward. We have been messing around manipulating the General Plan document work far too long. It is 35+ years old and the new one is still on the drawing board. Where is the “Vision”. The time has come to ACT! Make your priorities, stick to them and plan for success.
We can subsidize the Campbell Theater
We can spend money on the softball team.
We can’t afford to pay our Police Officers competitive wages.
This is outrageous.
Oh do we still pay our part time Mayor & Council full health benefits?
I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else
encountering problems with your site. It seems like some of the written text within your posts
are running off the screen. Can someone else please
provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
This could be a issue with my web browser because I’ve had this happen before.
Cheers