Competition for Public Safety

One of the things I've said over and over again is that the value of a police officer is not solely dependent on the pay and benefits that a city is willing to pay them but on the pay and benefits that competing cities are willing to pay. Toward the end of the comments, I describe the difference in pay and benefits between San Jose and other agencies in the bay area. here's the link: http://www.sanjoseinside.com/news/entries/03_14_11_police_officers_association_shooting_layoffs/

and here's the comment I posted:

JG

For the record, I am inclined to agree with you. San Jose’s leadership (and NOT the PD) has been all too willing to bend over backwards and play fast and loose with the law. And the leadership of San Jose has done an appalling amount of damage with their decisions, policies and rhetoric.

With respect to wages, etc…for the record, San Jose’s competition in the public safety industry is pretty stiff. Following are the highlights:

SFPD: Wages $82k+ to $110k+ with 3% @ 50 retirement formula. I believe employee pays 9% to retirment

SCPD: Wages $80k+ to $116k+ with 3% @ 50 retirement formula and 3% COLA and I believe employee pays 9% to retirement.

Fremont PD: $80k+ to $98k+ 3% @ 50 retirement formula and employer pays the employee’s 9% contribution, 13 paid holidays

Redwood City PD: $84k+ to $103k+, 3% @ 50 retirement formula, 14 paid holidays, all uniforms, cleaning and equipment paid for by City

Palo Alto PD: $84k to $112k+ 11 hour shifts including 1 hour paid time to work out, 3% @ 50 retirement formula with city taking up the employee’s PERS contribution, 5% night shift differential, all uniforms, equipment, cleaning paid for by the city.

San Jose isn’t competitive with any of these cities, if for no other reason than, at about 23% retirement contribution vs. 9% max, we pay 250% more (or more) than what other cities’ officers contribute. That on its own works out to adding about $20k to the annual salary.

I questioned Mayor Reed on this topic. He acknowledged that San Jose isn’t competitive and stated that he doesn’t know how other cities compensate their police officers this way. And yet, at the same time, he noted that other cities generate more revenue per capita than San Jose does.

Well, Mr. Mayor, there’s your answer. Revenue. Other cities are more desirable locales in which to do business. San Jose’s economy, by contrast, is moribund. San Jose’s policies are toxic to businesses as is its licensing and fee structure. And, to make matters worse, the Mayor is among the majority of the other city council members who, time and again, vote for zoning conversions, allowing for San Jose’s population to increase while the (potential) tax base decreases.