City and FOP Reach Agreement on Three-Year Contract
The City of Columbus has reached an agreement on a
three-year contract with the Fraternal Order of Police that was approved by
members through a vote that ended on Saturday. The agreement heads to City
Council tonight for approval of funding.
“This is the most progressive contract in a generation,”
said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “Through good faith collective bargaining since
late last year, we crafted a contract that provides an incentive for longtime
officers to retire, rewards officers committed to service, change and reform, and
attracts new, more diverse candidates to join our efforts to reform policing in
Columbus.”
Among the key provisions negotiated by the City:
- Grants the Inspector General of the Division of
Police the full authority to conduct independent investigations, and the power
to compel evidence and testimony
- Grants the Civilian Police Review Board full
authority to review complaints of police misconduct, initiate independent
investigations and make recommendations for discipline
- Changes body worn camera policy to ensure video
and audio evidence is available, whether the body worn camera is activated or
not and allows the Director of Public Safety to order review of audio and video
recordings up to 14 hours prior to a critical incident, limited only by camera
capabilities/technology
- Allows for post-incident drug testing following
any police involved shooting or discharge of firearm
- Restricts the use of personal leave in lieu of
suspension
- Extends the time suspensions are maintained in
disciplinary file
- Enhances oversight of police recruit training by
allowing the police chief to assign an officer – regardless of seniority – to
oversee training for each recruit class
- Improves police training and ensures officer
preparedness by extending the probationary period for recruits
In addition to these key reforms, the agreement creates an
officer Retirement Incentive Program designed to allow up to 100 officers with
25-years of service or more to retire early. The incentive program will allow senior
officers who no longer wish to serve to leave the division without financial
hardship. The accelerated separation of a limited number of officers will
increase the opportunity for promotions throughout the ranks, speed the
implementation of change and reform, while increasing the number of new, more
diverse, well-trained police recruits entering the ranks.
In addition, the Retirement Incentive Program results in a
net cost savings to the City that allows for an enhanced economic package for
remaining officers.
The contract includes significant stepped pay increases or
“market adjustments” that will result in a new police officer earning more than
$100,000 after only three years - a potential incentive for highly motivated
and talented candidates from diverse communities to pursue a career in
community policing.
“I am pleased to have a contract that both emphasizes reform
and rewards police officers for the difficult job they do,” said Police Chief
Elaine Bryant. “We can now focus our attention on fighting crime in our city
and building a police force that reflects the diversity of the people we
serve.”