City cops get hefty pay raise

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Kevin Killough
Staff writer

GALLUP — Things are looking up for the Gallup Police Department. The city and police union worked together to come up with a new contract, which the mayor and council approved in the last City Council meeting. According to City Manager Gerald Herrera, the city is quite pleased with the results.

“Overall, it’s a good situation for the city,” he said.

Salaries were generally increased to the middle of market rate, comparable with other agencies. Sergeants will receive a 24 percent increase. Patrolmen will receive a 17 percent increase, and certified officers’ salaries will be increased by 12 percent.

In addition, the salaries of new officers was increased, the total of which will be phased in over the course of three years.

The city also increased the term life insurance to $20,000 with double indemnity for accidental death or disability.

The main issue was salaries, which weren’t competing with other agencies around the state. As a result, the department was paying for training of new officers who ultimately left for other positions in the state and county. With the decreased workforce, the city was paying much more in overtime than it would if the salaries were raised.

“The city worked very well on that, and we’re happy,” Police Chief Robert Cron said.