The San Diego Police Officers Association announced Thursday it had recognized Mayor Kevin Faulconer with an award for his commitment to addressing the police department's years-long recruiting and retention crisis.
Faulconer, who rolled out a plan to address officer understaffing early in his mayoral campaign last year, accepted the police union's "Walk the Walk" award at its recent board of directors' retreat.
"It's much easier to walk the walk when you have great partners that are willing to work with you," Faulconer said. "I'd like to thank the San Diego Police Officers Association for this award, but I'd also like to thank the San Diego Police Department as a whole for helping our city move forward together as One San Diego."
Last month, the SDPOA and city leaders reached an agreement to increase police officers' pay in an effort to deter them from seeking employment with other local agencies. The contract, worth around $92 million, includes a restoration of holiday pay and an increase in healthcare, equipment and uniform allowances.
SDPOA President Brian Marvel commended Faulconer for his work to "to be the leader who finally addressed" the recruiting and retention issues.
"Today, officers throughout our department feel the city has finally put forth a concrete investment in our police force," Marvel said. "We ... are poised to be able to begin reconstructing our department in a manner that will improve public safety and address quality of life issues for all San Diegans."
