A letter from the MPA President
Over the past few weeks there have been several rumors circulating regarding not only the status of the MOU, but also what has delayed the process. I have personally heard some of the rumors and have not heard any truth in one single rumor. I have shrugged them off for the most part, but I was presented with one today that was so outrageous that I felt I needed to respond. The rumor is that the reason for the delay in the 5% merit was because the MPA is “at odds with the City” over stand-by pay for members of the MPA Board.
Let me assure everyone that this rumor is completely false. Stand-by pay for one member of the MPA Board to respond to critical incidents was one of several items that the MPA has attempted to obtain as part of a compensation package. The MPA also has asked for 5% detective pay, multiple merits in order to “catch up”, Mobile Field Force specialty pay, increased Spanish compensation, DRE specialty pay, increased Holiday pay, increase sick and vacation time, increase deferred compensation match from .5% to 1.5%, a fair and consistent transfer practice, etc. We are continuing with MOU negotiations this week and will be seeking input from City Council. I am confident we will complete the MOU process soon. Rest assured that at no time have your merits been in jeopardy, just delayed. There has never been a scenario that officers would not get their merits. Also, the MPA would never agree to an MOU that did not retroactively pay our officers the merits back to July 1st. The delay in the MOU process is simply because the MPA is attempting to obtain a compensation package that is consistent with the hard work everyone has put in for the past several years.
Please realize that rumors such as these have a direct effect on the morale and productivity of our police department. If anyone hears anything that sounds questionable, feel free to call me directly. Over the next few days the MPA will be meeting with department leadership in order to discuss the challenges with the new Caprices, misrepresentation with the AXOM camera system and the bid process.
Be safe,
Ryan Russell
President – Mesa Police Association
C – 480-226-8298
