Strike No Threat in Coronado-Police Impasse

Coronado police Monday declared an official impasse with the city over contract negotiations for 1985-1986, saying they are the lowest-paid police department in San Diego County and that attrition has left the department dangerously inexperienced.

Five of Coronado’s 19 police officers have less than two weeks’ experience, Officer Jeff Hutchins said, adding, “That level of low experience presents a hazard to the community as well as ourselves.”

But Coronado police will not strike, said Hutchins, a member of the negotiating team. “We will continue to provide protection for the public.”

The city has offered police officers a 5% raise, retroactive to July 1, plus a 4% raise on Jan. 1.

The police officers association is asking for an additional 4% raise effective Jan. 1 for police supervisors, along with other benefits. The department’s six supervisors will not receive the January raise under the city’s offer.

City Manager Ray Silver said pay for Coronado’s police supervisors is not below pay for officers with similar responsibilities at other departments. But the attorney for the police officers association, Everett Bobbitt, said the position of supervisor carries more responsibility than a sergeant at other departments.

Bobbitt said Coronado police officers with five years’ experience earn an average of $22,000 a year, at least 10% below the next-lowest-paid department in the county. With a 9% raise over the next year, Coronado will still not be on a par with the second lowest department, he said.

Because Coronado police are the lowest paid in the county, senior officers have been leaving the department for higher salaries elsewhere, according to Hutchins. “It takes an officer three years to be fully competent on the job,” he said. “The average experience (on Coronado’s force) is now two to three years.”

Silver said safety is not a crucial issue in Coronado. “The city of Coronado has the lowest crime rate in the county,” he said. “I think it’s unfortunate that a group of employees charged under state law with public safety is using public safety as a scare tactic.”