Police to get 6% raises in next 4 years

The pact includes a return of allowances for guns and uniforms and pay differentials

The officers union will announce today the terms of its contract with the four counties

COUNTY police officers statewide will receive across-the-board 6 percent annual pay raises for the next four years under the terms of an arbitrated award the police union will announce today.

The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers said the salary increases and pay differentials amount to 33.8 percent over the four years of the contract that begins July 1 -- if the state's four counties elect to provide the money for the raises.

Officers will get additional salary increases as they reach the next step in their pay grade during the contract. They will also see a return of their annual uniform and gun allowance. And those who drive their own vehicles for work will see an increase in their monthly subsidy.

The current contract provides for a uniform and gun allowance but does not include funding for it. In a previous contract, the money for the allowance was used to pay for officers' salary differential, which recognizes that they cannot work many kinds of part-time jobs during off-hours because of their higher standard of conduct.

After the counties and police union reached an impasse in negotiations, the two sides submitted their final offers to an arbitration panel that issued a decision.

The police contract is the last major agreement before the start of the next fiscal year in July. It is also the most generous among the public worker unions, which got between 4 percent and 5 percent pay raises per year.

Honolulu City Council Budget Chairman Todd Apo said the police raises, which were higher than expected, were added to the operating budget yesterday.

Council Chairwoman Barbara Marshall said the arbitration award also backs up SHOPO's contention that police officers here have been underpaid.