Montclair PD lay-offs

[Copp'rPenny]

I heard 10 officers just got cut. Can't find any news articles confirming this. Anyone have any news?

[McGruff]

This was posted as of June 2nd

MONTCLAIR - The Police Department has to reduce its budget by $690,000 or face having six officers laid off, according to the city manager.

City of El Monte is looking into laying off 100 city workers. No announcement if this will effect the PD.

[Copp'rPenny]

Yes, I saw that. Looks like it came to fruition. :(

[hankido2000]

http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_12506730

Montclair police told to make cuts or face layoffs
Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 06/02/2009 09:31:00 PM PDT

MONTCLAIR - The Police Department has to reduce its budget by $690,000 or face having six officers laid off, according to the city manager.

Although the city has implemented hiring freezes, furlough hours and asked employees to take a decrease in pay to help balance the budget, additional cuts to law enforcement need to be made, City Manager Lee McDougal said.

City officials are asking the police union to renegotiate its current contract - which doesn't expire until next June - for reductions in pay and benefits, said Deborah Camou, president of the Montclair Police Association.

The union voted last week not to open its contract.

"The Police Department takes great pride in working for Montclair, and their hard work shows in the product they provide, and we support the city of Montclair during these tough times, but we do not feel we're in a position to open our contract," Camou said.

"We believe the city is focusing too much on resolving their financial crisis with employee cuts because it's an easy way to address it."

Camou also said if the city increased its utility-user tax, it would generate additional money for the city.

The City Council made a commitment to residents to reduce the tax and eventually eliminate it, McDougal said.

If the union doesn't renegotiate its contract, the only viable option is layoffs, he said.

"They're saying cut elsewhere or raise taxes, don't cut us. I feel raising taxes on residents is not fair," McDougal said. "We've cut everywhere else. Every other department has been cut."

In January, law enforcement will receive a 1 percent pay increase and an increase in medical insurance. The city is asking the police union to waive this, the city manager said.

"The chief, deputy chief and two lieutenants have agreed to take up to a 9 percent pay decrease," he said, "and all the managers in the city from me on down have agreed to take a decrease in compensation."

Montclair has the highest number of police officers per 1,000 residents in the area, McDougal said.

Upland, Rialto, Claremont, Chino and Pomona have fewer officers per 1,000 residents than Montclair's 1.7 officers per 1,000.

In July, Montclair police officers received a raise on average of 12 percent while other city employees had a flat $1,700 increase, McDougal said.

The Montclair Police Department is the lowest paid in the Inland Empire, Camou said.

"We're about 25 percent below the average pay in benefit and hourly paid and that seems to be the general figure of all our city employees," she said.

[SgtCHP]

Montclair PD has not lost any officers. The MPOA agreed to a reduction in an effort to save the positions.


Montclair police now agree to pay, benefit cuts

Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/04/2009 05:19:04 PM PDT
Updated: 06/04/2009 08:05:24 PM PDT

MONTCLAIR - The Police Officers Association on Thursday capitulated to the city's request to cut $690,000 in pay and benefits to avoid police officer layoffs.

For the second time this week, city officials and union representatives met Thursday to renegotiate its current contract for reductions in pay and benefits.

The contract doesn't expire until next June.

"An agreement is eminent, and I feel good about the discussion we had today," City Manager Lee McDougal said.

Earlier this week, the Police Department was asked to reduce its budget by $690,000 or face having six officers laid off, McDougal said.

Last week, the union voted not to renegotiate its contract with the city.

On Tuesday, Deborah Camou, president of the Montclair Police Officers Association, said while the Police Department takes great pride in working for Montclair, the union did not feel it was in a position to reenegotiate its contract.

A news release faxed to the Daily Bulletin late Wednesday evening said, "In the spirit of cooperation during these difficult times, the (Montclair Police Officers Association) proposed voluntary changes in their current contract, including decrease in salary and benefits."

While there is no definite agreement as of yet, the city should expect to see a potential savings, Camou said.

"We had an informal meeting, and similar to other agencies in the area we would defer our salary increase and agreed

to some of the things they offered to propose," she said.
"The MPOA also made recommendations for cuts in police costs that would further impact the financial situation," according to the news release.

"In total, the MPOA presented the city with cuts in police costs that would allow the city of Montclair to see a budget savings of $784,000. This is 12 percent more than required to avoid layoffs."

canan.tasci@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 987-6397, ext. 425

[

[Copp'rPenny]

These articles are all a week old. A detective at a nearby department told me the lay-offs happened just in the last couple of days. Maybe it's not true, but I was hoping we'd find someone a little closer to the situation.

[SOCALCOP]

These articles are all a week old. A detective at a nearby department told me the lay-offs happened just in the last couple of days. Maybe it's not true, but I was hoping we'd find someone a little closer to the situation.

Thats me...They are going through the same stuff everyone else is going through. Threats of lay off if they don't give up some money. As of this posting, no one has been laid off, the POA vote on concessions is still to come, both the chief and others at city hall are saying there is a slim to no chance of lay offs. Despite that there are some that are still planning on leaving for other agencies. Montclair is a very low paid agency that makes their officers do everything, follow-ups, reports that larger depts. have CSO's do, forced overtime when one person calls in sick. I don't know why those officers stay there but thats just my 2 cents.

[Copp'rPenny]

Thanks for the update! I do think the rumor mill is running fast and furious these days. On a ride-along last week, an officer told me SBSD was laying people off, although I knew that it was really San Bernardino PD.

[KLINGER]

Thats me...They are going through the same stuff everyone else is going through. Threats of lay off if they don't give up some money. As of this posting, no one has been laid off, the POA vote on concessions is still to come, both the chief and others at city hall are saying there is a slim to no chance of lay offs. Despite that there are some that are still planning on leaving for other agencies. Montclair is a very low paid agency that makes their officers do everything, follow-ups, reports that larger depts. have CSO's do, forced overtime when one person calls in sick. I don't know why those officers stay there but thats just my 2 cents.

My cousin is 10-8 with Montclair and i also have a good friend who's a sgt at Montclair. Both are happy with the dept. Its true, there are lay-offs inevitable with many agencies and Montclair has been battling to keep their guys on from what i hear.

[SOCALCOP]

Thanks for the update! I do think the rumor mill is running fast and furious these days. On a ride-along last week, an officer told me SBSD was laying people off, although I knew that it was really San Bernardino PD.

SBPD has not laid off either. I don't know of any city/county in Southern Cal that has actually laid off. Anyone have good info on actual lay offs?

[Copp'rPenny]

Really? I thought I read it here. Hard to keep track of all the rumors!

[Copp'rPenny]

Sadly, this rumor came true. :(
http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_12728761

Four Montclair officers given pink slips ...

[KLINGER]

Yes my cousin was one of them :mad: he's already applied to other citys shouldnt be too long

[Socal-Cop]

Klinger.. how much time on did your cousin have?

[lovinCVC14601]

dammm, i hate hearing this.. i just talk to my buddy and he said inglewood is looking for about 15 bodies

[towncop]

So, instead of going into contract talks with the city, the union chose not to and have 4 of its members laid off???? :confused:

[hbliam]

So, instead of going into contract talks with the city, the union chose not to and have 4 of its members laid off???? :confused:


First time I have heard of a Union doing that so far. Nice. I'm sure they took the guys POA dues while they worked there.

[siryessir]

I was just on indeed.com it looks like they are looking for reserves. http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=reserve+police+officer&l=Rancho+Cucamonga,+CA&rq=1

[GVBD59]

I was just on indeed.com it looks like they are looking for reserves. http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=reserve+police+officer&l=Rancho+Cucamonga,+CA&rq=1

That's why I've never been a fan of reserve programs. Reserves are basically taking money out of professional police officers' pockets. I don't question the individuals motives I'm sure they just want to provide a community service, but I do question the agencies motives in starting these types of programs.

[Reservetobe]

That's why I've never been a fan of reserve programs. Reserves are basically taking money out of professional police officers' pockets. I don't question the individuals motives I'm sure they just want to provide a community service, but I do question the agencies motives in starting these types of programs.

Montclair and most other agencies have always had open enrollement for Reserves, it has nothing to do with laying off full time officers.

If the city doesn't have money, their isn't much the city can do to keep people on the payroll.

Montclair is a small city and small PD, so if the officers did not agree to a paycut, they knew the only other alternative is to layoff; it has nothign to do with reserves. it has more to do with the more senior officers not wanting a pay cut.

There are some dept. that have more reserves than full time officers, I.E San Fernando PD. and it's been like that for 20+ years.

[SgtCHP]

So, instead of going into contract talks with the city, the union chose not to and have 4 of its members laid off???? :confused:

Initially, the PD faced a lay off of TEN officers and the association had a meet and confer. They agreed to some terms to save jobs and the city mellowed out. Then, about two weeks later the city stated that they needed to make some additional cuts in the PD and the association said no. They had a quick meeting and all agreed to stand their ground, so the end result is the loss of four positions. From what I have heard, the layoffs are not permanent. Within the year, the officers SHOULD be back on the job. But, who knows?

[hbliam]

Initially, the PD faced a lay off of TEN officers and the association had a meet and confer. They agreed to some terms to save jobs and the city mellowed out. Then, about two weeks later the city stated that they needed to make some additional cuts in the PD and the association said no. They had a quick meeting and all agreed to stand their ground, so the end result is the loss of four positions. From what I have heard, the layoffs are not permanent. Within the year, the officers SHOULD be back on the job. But, who knows?


Unless I couldn't find a job I'd never go back.

[DOAcop38]

Initially, the PD faced a lay off of TEN officers and the association had a meet and confer. They agreed to some terms to save jobs and the city mellowed out. Then, about two weeks later the city stated that they needed to make some additional cuts in the PD and the association said no. They had a quick meeting and all agreed to stand their ground, so the end result is the loss of four positions. From what I have heard, the layoffs are not permanent. Within the year, the officers SHOULD be back on the job. But, who knows?

curious- what happens to their "quality of life"???? How do you go ffrom a 460K- 90K/yr job to scratching around in an economy that SUCKS? Whackwenhut security isn't going to cover the bills, stop foreclosures,or pay the utilities !!( no offense to service related job workers, but having been there before- I was praising the Good Lords name daily when I got this job!!!).

I know if it happened here in L.A., the Dept would make the officers go thru ANOTHER background check, and would probably hold any incurred debts against REHIRING THEM.......

[SOCALCOP]

The city threatened layoffs if the POA did not agree to cuts, since they did not agree the city HAD to lay off, not to save money but to save face. You can't make threats and not follow through. It now looks like the city has already, after 1 week found a way to re-hire the laid off 4 officers. The city council meeting is going on right now, I will give you info when I get it....The threat will come to haunt the city though, just like when San Bernardino City threatened to lay off but never did, they still lost 8 officers who did not want to play that game to other agencies , Montclair will lose close to that much which means they will have to turn around and open the process to entry (no lateral will go there now) and it will cost the city thousands of dollars to recruit and train the new officers.

[DAL]

It is only going to get worse. Property tax revenues are continuing to decline, and the state will withhold money from the cities. It also is not so easy to lateral now, and those who do lose their seniority and will be first to go at their new department.

[KLINGER]

He was there just over a year and thru his probation period. He said there was guys not on the chopping block still looking to lateral elsewhere. At least he made it past the academy and thru probation!

[GVBD59]

http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_12771715

[SgtCHP]

THE LATEST:


Montclair, police nearing agreement to overturn layoffs

Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 07/07/2009 05:35:50 PM PDT


MONTCLAIR - Montclair Police Officers Association and city officials are close to reaching an agreement that may bring back four officers who recently received layoff notices.

Discussions on Monday between the union and the city involved salary and benefit reductions as well as an extension of the current contract to 2011.

Four officers were given layoff notices late last month after the association rejected the city's request renegotiated their current contract for salary and benefit cuts with the proposal the union would renegotiate in 2010.

Debbie Camou, president of the Montclair Police Officers Association, said the union has agreed to accept 104 furlough hours, pay a portion of their retirement, loss of holiday pay, and waive additional benefits if the city would extend the union's contract for one year.

City Manager Lee McDougal said he commends the union's handing of layoffs as well as the discussions that have been going on for more than a month.

"I think this agreement we will work it out and it will be back before the City Council for ratification by the next meeting on July 20," he said. "If that happens on July 21, we'll be calling those four officers to come back to work."

In response to last week's layoffs, a ballot initiative was filed on Monday by a union attorney in support of mandatory police staffing at appropriate levels, as well as to prevent the city from contracting out police services.

Camou said a telephone survey was conducted of registered voters over the weekend.

She said the survey was overwhelmingly in support of police officers, in support of staffing levels, and against layoffs.

"Surprisingly even to us the majority of respondents also said they would support an assessment if the funds were guaranteed to go to law enforcement," she said.


http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_12771715

[SOCALCOP]

The four officers will back to work tomorrow, I hate when employers play with peoples lives but I am glad they are back.

[CHUCKnmnV]

Drove past their new station the other day. Pretty sweet.