From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Ordinance amending 9828-2015 in regard to the Shift Differential pay amount for authorized Civil Service positions and also specifying “at least three (3) years of continuous service” for eligibility into the Lateral Entry Program
Presenter
Chief Steve Dye, Police Department
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
On July 11, 2015, the Police Department’s Communications Division converted from eight (8) hours shifts to twelve (12) hour shifts to mirror the schedules of the Patrol Division and Detention Center. The Department, in consultation with the Human Resources Department, reviewed Shift Differential pays across the City, and compared data from surrounding cities and police departments. As a result of this review, the City Manager’s Office approved a change to the City’s Shift Differential Policy to be more competitive with similar cities.
The policy changes impacts eligible sworn Civil Service positions, which include increasing the shift differential pay from $1,200 per year to $1,500 per year. Shift Differential pay applies only to eligible employees who are assigned to a shift in which more than fifty (50) percent of the time worked falls after 6:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m. in accordance with Chapter 143.047(a). Human Resources policy, B09-Shift Differential, provides guidance on the administration of such pay.
A second amendment within this Ordinance adjusts the Lateral Entry Program to no longer state “at least two years of service” for those individuals with prior eligible police experience, but to now specify “at least three (3) years of continuous service” as required by the Local Civil Service Rules.
The Public Safety, Health and Environmental Committee reviewed this item on October 12, 2015 and recommended that it be forwarded to the City Council for approval.
The Finance and Government Committee reviewed this item on October 13, 2015 and recommended that it be forwarded to the City Council for approval.
Financial Consideration
Funds are available in the Police Department’s FY 2015/2016 General Fund budget. Funding for future fiscal years will be paid from that year's approved budget.
Body
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, AMENDING 9828-2015, PROVIDING FOR SPECIAL PAY TYPES FOR POLICE OFFICERS
WHEREAS, the City of Grand Prairie has adopted Chapter 143 of the Local Government Code, or “Civil Service”; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has the authority as the “Governing Body”, under Chapter 143 and specifically §143 Subchapter C - Compensation, to set extra pay types by ordinance as defined in that section for classified police positions; and
WHEREAS, the City of Grand Prairie recognizes that recruiting persons with prior full time paid law enforcement experience and/or additional qualifications and education is an asset to the City of Grand Prairie Police Department and to the citizens; and
WHEREAS, authorizing extra pays in addition to the City’s pay schedule helps it remain competitive in the market for recruitment and retention efforts; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopts the Grand Prairie Police Department Step Plan Pay Scale and all applicable extra pay types annually as part of the City’s Budget, and this ordinance is intended to explicate and supplement the Step Plan Pay Scale ordinance;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. That the City Council hereby finds the statements made in the preamble are true and correct.
SECTION 2. (1) That the City Council authorizes the types of extra pay for Police Officers as defined in Section 3 herein; (2) Detailed rules and regulations for qualifying standards, eligibility, and administration of such pay types may be stated within City and/or Police Department policies with such policies being subject to change as needed and approved by the City Manager; and (3) Changes in the actual pay amount shall be made through an ordinance amending such.
SECTION 3. Eligible pay types are authorized by City Council below for Police Officers:
1. Seniority Pay - Lateral Entry (prior Police Experience):
a. Seniority Pay is authorized by Chapter 143.041(c)(1) and modified from its original qualifications previously adopted in December 2011.
b. Applicants for police officer positions shall be eligible for Special Seniority pay for lateral entry if they have the required years of continuous service as a paid, fulltime certified peace officer , in accordance with the provisions of the current Police Department policy. The Chief of Police shall make the final determination as to whether an applicant meets the criteria for the Police Lateral Entry Program and the Chief's decision shall be final and non-appealable to the Civil Service Commission or to any court.
c. Currently-employed officers who would have qualified for this new Lateral Entry Seniority pay at the time of hire shall be moved into the current pay schedule as employment records are verified and they are found to be eligible.
d. Starting Pay: The starting pay for lateral entry officers with prior law enforcement experience will be determined based on the number of authorized sworn officer positions employed by their previous law enforcement agency or agencies on the date of their Civil Service Entrance Examination with the Grand Prairie Police Department.
i. Lateral entry officers who have at least three (3) years of qualified service at a law enforcement agency with less than the number of authorized sworn police officer positions employed in the Grand Prairie Police Department shall be initially placed at Step 2 of the Grand Prairie Police
Department pay schedule.
ii. Lateral entry officers who have at least three (3) years of qualified service at a law enforcement agency with an equal or greater number of authorized sworn police officer positions employed in the Grand Prairie Police Department shall be credited with their total number of whole years of service. These officers shall be initially placed at the step in the police pay schedule commensurate with their qualified years of experience up to, but not exceeding, the rate of pay specified in beginning pay level of Step 7.
iii. If a qualified lateral officer has previous experience with both a department smaller than and equal or greater to the size of the Grand Prairie Police Department, then that officer shall be credited with the service time of the larger department if that service is at least three (3) full years.
iv. Previous Grand Prairie Police Officers who are re-appointed as Police Officers shall be placed in the same salary step they held at the time of their resignation unless the applicant terminated while at a supervisory rank. If the re-appointed officer left the Grand Prairie Police Department while in a supervisory capacity, then the re-appointed officer’s pay shall correspond with the re-appointed officer’s total prior service years, but shall not exceed the top pay of police officer rank.
e. Departmental Seniority Impact: The Lateral Entry Program described in the Sub-section is for seniority pay purposes only to determine placement into the existing pay schedule. Actual work experience in another law enforcement agency will not be considered for promotional eligibility requirements, departmental seniority or transfers. Departmental seniority for lateral entry officers and re-appointed officers will begin on their most recent Civil Service hire date with the Grand Prairie Police Department.
f. Requirements: Guidelines and administration for eligibility for lateral entry shall be governed by police policies.
2. Seniority Pay - City of Grand Prairie experience
a. Sworn Police employees shall be paid City Seniority pay at the rate of $3.00 per month of full time service with the City as defined by rules set forth in City policy.
b. Seniority pay is authorized in accordance with Chapter 143.041(c)(1) and is administered in accordance with City policy.
c. City-authorized Seniority pay is not guaranteed and may be changed or stopped at the discretion of the City manager and is subject to available funding.
3. Longevity Pay:
a. Sworn Police employees shall be paid statutory Longevity pay at the rate of $4.00 per month of full time service in accordance with City policy, Chapter 142, and as allowed under Chapter 143.041(c)(1).
b. City policy provides specifics on administration, application and any limits that apply in accordance with State Law.
4. Field Training Officer (FTO) Pay:
a. Field Officer Training Pay shall be paid to City of Grand Prairie full time Police Officers at a rate of $23.08 per work week or $100 per month as authorized and/or designated by the Chief of Police to perform field training officer functions.
b. Field Training Officer pay is authorized in Chapter 143.043 and administered in accordance with Police policy.
5. Certification Pay:
a. Officers obtaining either an Intermediate or Advanced Certification level from TCOLE shall be paid certification pay in the amount of $9.23 per work week (averaging $40 per month) for Intermediate Certification or $18.46 per work week (averaging $80 per month) for Advanced Certification.
b. Certification Pay is authorized in accordance with Chapter 143.044(b) and administered in accordance with Police Department policy.
c. Officers are eligible to receive only one certification pay based on the highest eligible certification obtained. An Officer shall not be paid both certification and educational incentive pays; instead the officer shall be paid whichever type of pay results in the greater monthly amount.
6. Educational Incentive Pay:
a. Education pay shall be paid at a rate of $11.54 per work week or $50 per month for an eligible Associates degree or $23.08 per work week or $100 per month for an eligible Bachelors Degree.
b. Education pay is authorized in accordance of Chapter 143.044(c) and administered in accordance with Police Department policy. Only certain degree programs qualify and they must be through an approved accredited university as stated in Police Department Policy.
c. Officers are eligible to receive only one Educational Incentive based on the highest degree level obtained. An Officer shall not be paid both certification and educational incentive pays; instead the officer shall be paid whichever type of pay results in the greater monthly amount.
7. Shift Differential Pay:
a. Effective October 17, 2015, Shift Differential pay shall be paid at a rate of $28.8462 per work week or $1,500 per year while on a qualified shift in a position authorized to receive such pay.
b. Shift Differential Pay applies only to officers who are assigned to a shift in which more than fifty (50) percent of the time worked falls after 6:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m. in accordance with Chapter 143.047(a).
c. Human Resources policy B09-Shift Differential provides guidance on administration of such pay.
SECTION 4. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof.
SECTION 5. The effective date of this ordinance is October 13, 2015 and will be effective until repealed by the City Council or amended by a subsequent Ordinance.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, on this 13th day of October, 2015.