Poor Police Sergeants

"There are about 60 sergeants in the Flint Police Department and 13 lieutenants and captains. But because the sergeants' last pay raise was in 1998, officers now make more than sergeants. " Hmmm, 60 Sergeants, and 13 lt's. We have 40 supercops that already do twice as much as they do (a total of 10868 crimes according to the City's website for 2005 and 22,000 incidents taken care of along with almost 7,000 arrests by the 40 supercops) and they want to get paid better? That leaves only 4000 crimes left to be taken care of by the 60 sergeants, 13 LT's and the rest of the patrol force. Hmmm, how about we give raises to those 40 supercops. They seem to be over worked!

Then "Lt. Darwyn Sparks noted that when the pay rates for Flint police are compared with other Michigan cities of comparable size, and even those of smaller cities, Flint "is a long way behind." Others agreed, pointing out that police make better wages in departments such as Grand Blanc and Davison townships." SO GO THERE!!!! I'm sure with the record levels of crime in Flint, and your reputations for response, they are looking to hire you! With what you've done so far with Flint's crime rate and lack of police response and investigation. We won't be loosing anything if you leave. We have 40 SUPERCOPS that can obviously take up the slack. Let me just respond with a HEARTY "WELL WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT" Taking a line from the unwritten Police handbook. That I've heard so many times from Flint's police dept. And you guys want us to feel sorry for you?

Police command officers complain about pay
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Thursday, March 30, 2006
By Kim Crawford
kcrawford@flintjournal.com • 810.766.6242
FLINT - When two Flint police patrol officers were promoted to sergeant this week, they took on responsibilities as investigators and supervisors. They also took a cut in pay of about $1.50 an hour.

"The public's perception is that because the patrol officers have a contract with the city of Flint, that all police employees have," said Sgt. Richard Hetherington on Wednesday. "That's not true."

Hetherington, president of the Flint Police Sergeants Association, with members of his union and also from the union that represents lieutenants and captains, held a news conference complaining about the lack of progress in their contract negotiations with the city.

There are about 60 sergeants in the Flint Police Department and 13 lieutenants and captains. But because the sergeants' last pay raise was in 1998, officers now make more than sergeants.

"Morale is down, obviously," Hetherington said about the situation for sergeants.

The sergeants say that historically they've been paid about 12 percent to 15 percent more than patrol officers, with lieutenants making more than sergeants. But Hetherington says that while the city's contract with officers represented a total increase in pay and benefits of 21 percent of what they'd had previously (spread over the course of several years), the city's last offer to sergeants was 10 percent. Members of the lieutenants and captains unit said the last offer they received from the city was even less.

Hetherington and other officers at the press conference said that despite offers of concessions from both the sergeants and the lieutenants and captains unions, talks have been at a standstill and arbitration could be next.

"If we go to arbitration and there's an order for sergeants to receive back pay, it's not going to get any cheaper for the city," Hetherington said.

Lt. Darwyn Sparks noted that when the pay rates for Flint police are compared with other Michigan cities of comparable size, and even those of smaller cities, Flint "is a long way behind." Others agreed, pointing out that police make better wages in departments such as Grand Blanc and Davison townships.

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