May 2024: New police contract

Last year the city was unpleasantly surprised when two veteran police officers resigned within a month of each other to take higher paying police jobs elsewhere. That was quite a blow to the six-member patrol unit, and many overtime hours ensued as remaining officers filled in the blanks so residents could have 24/7 police coverage. Chief Ramereiz and Sgt. Forshee filled in for daytime road patrol to make it work. Everyone was getting burned out.

That was enough to convince administrators and city council to negotiate a new police contract a year before the current deal expires. The idea is to raise wages enough that the city has a fighting chance to retain officers instead of watching them move on after a cup of coffee in St. Louis.

It didn’t take long to reach an agreement (only two meetings) as both parties knew that officers were underpaid relative to police pay elsewhere.

Officers got a 13 percent increase in the contract’s first year and 2 percent increases in years two and three. Additionally, and perhaps just as important, two levels of seniority increases were added.

Compared to officer pay in Michigan’s 176 other police agencies, St. Louis went from 137th place to 65th place. The annual police payroll rises by $69,000, but if greater retention ensues there will be less overtime; not to mention fresher officers who are working 40 hours a week instead of 50.

We also hope the wage increase will help as we explore the possibility of a police merger with Alma. For a merger to work, officers must be paid the same, and St. Louis police pay was behind Alma. With the new contract, St. Louis police pay tops out at $70,000/year, which is $8,000 more than Alma’s top officers makes. But Alma is negotiating a new contract, so that gap will change.

Merger talks have been on hold for months on account of the St. Louis staffing shortage. But with the addition of officer John McGinn and Marina Valoshina (who St. Louis is putting through the police academy) and a little luck we will be fully staffed soon.

My council colleagues and I want to hear what residents have to say about the possible police merger and expect to have public hearings if a merger plan is produced. When that time comes you will be invited to attend a meeting and put your two cents in.

Speaking of that, we council members are happy to hear your concerns and complaints at our regular meetings. At the April 2 meeting, for example, we heard 10 Evergreen Village residents complain about trailer park management. So don’t be shy about coming to us. We want to hear what you think and might be able to help. The meetings begin at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.