City pleased by new cop contract

Mayor Ed Rendell announced at a City Hall news conference yesterday that the four-year binding contract for Philadelphia Police officers has been released from arbitration, ending months of delays, rumors and speculation. The contract gives the city 70 to 75 percent of what they wanted, according to Rendell, and amounts to more than $109 million in projected savings over four years. "The award is an important victory for us on the road to maintaining fiscal stability," Rendell said. "We have to live within the financial realities facing the City of Philadelphia." But Rendell added, "We did not get everything by any means." One award Rendell said he thinks is particularly noteworthy is the city's ability to hire 179 civilians to work desk jobs in the police department. This alone should save the city $2.7 million annually and allow the city to place more officers on the street, he said. "The thing that catches my attention is the possibility of getting more officers on the street," said David Hochman, president of the Spruce Hill Community Association, who added that he thinks more officers on the street is always a help. The contract also allows uniformed police officers to be hired for special events, and permits the city to contract security guards for additional security at special events. Many police officers have been worried that a new contract with fewer benefits or pay would cause an exodus from the department in the form of retirements. Rendell said yesterday that he disagrees. "There is no reason for police officers who were not intending to retire, to retire," he said. The starting salary for police officers will be reduced to $23,750. Base wages will remain the same for the next two years, and then increase two percent on January 1, 1995, and three percent on January 1, 1996. The new contract is filled with changes, ranging from increased funding for uniforms to family counseling. One major change is that the city will provide a GLOCK 9MM automatic weapon to any police officer who requests one. The plan gives the Fraternal Order of Police several health care options to chose from, all of which will result in substantial savings to the city. Paid holidays will also be cut from 14 to 10 days. Future employees will also have 15 sick days, instead of 20 as in the past.