San Diego Cops Hope Salary Survey Leads To Raises

San Diego's struggle to recruit and retain cops was evident this year when the department's staffing levels reached record lows. Officers contend pay is the problem and hope the city will give them raises after the results of a statewide salary survey are released.

The review of officers’ pay and benefits is expected by the end of this month. Police Officers Association President Brian Marvel says early results show San Diego officers are out earned by other agencies in the region and across California.

"Based on the preliminary information that we received, it shows us being at about 19 out of 19 departments that were analyzed," he said in a phone interview.

Marvel mentioned that could change slightly because some adjustments still need to be made before the report is finalized.

The city funded a similar study in 2007 that found San Diego’s salary and benefits were comparable to 18 other agencies, but its health care costs and pension contributions put officers' take home pay near the bottom of the list.

Officers received a raise later that year and another in 2008, but suffered from budget cuts in 2009.

After the results of this survey are released, Marvel said he hopes the city will respond quickly because publicizing San Diego’s low pay could discourage potential applicants.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer told KPBS Midday Edition that he is aware of the staffing issue and said the salary survey is just part of the city's approach to addressing the issue.

"Compensation increases is absolutely one of the things that we're looking at," he said.

Faulconer said the city has already taken some steps to remedy the issue, such as increasing the number of recruits the department sends to police academies.

In closed session Tuesday, the San Diego City Council will confer with the city’s labor negotiators about talks with the police officers union.