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ALDERMEN EYE CHANGES TO LONGEVITY PAY LEGISLATION

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Sunday, November 8, 2009 8:05 AM CST

Aldermen are looking to change a city ordinance dealing with longevity pay increase for Pine Bluff police officers.

“You may want to change it to public safety,” said human resources director Vickie Conaway.

Longevity now is used to “provide incentives for the hiring and retention of qualified personnel for the Pine Bluff Police Department,” the ordinance states.

It was passed in 2006.

Longevity pay is given to both police and fire departments using the measure’s formula, said finance director Steve Miller.

The issue was discussed at a Thursday administration committee meeting.

According to the legislation, police officers are paid after a probationary period of one year, $45 per month for 1-4 years of service, $35 per month for 5-8 years of service, and $5 per month for 9-28 years of service.

It also states officers hired from another department are eligible for longevity pay, up to 10 years. Such individuals will not receive the incentive if he or she has been out of law enforcement for more than six months, the measure states.

“We can just say that longevity, for all future purposes will be defined as time served with the city of Pine Bluff,” said 2nd Ward Alderman Wayne Easterly.

“It may be that we give credit for some of the years, but not all of them,” said 1st Ward Alderman Irene Holcomb. “Of course, it will be left up to the full council to address that.”

Mayor Carl A. Redus Jr. requested input from both the fire and police departments before a decision is made.

He added that a few public safety employees have served past the 28 years in the ordinance.

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