From
Lisa Norris
Title
Ordinance that details, supplements, and amends the existing Special Pay Ordinance (Ordinance No. 9948 from October 2015) by modifying the Seniority Pay affecting Lateral Entry for Police Officers under specified circumstances
Presenter
Chief Steve Dye
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The City of Grand Prairie actively recruits for strong candidates, both experienced and new to the profession, to join our exceptional public safety team and meet our high standards. Cities throughout the Metroplex have become increasingly competitive in efforts to attract qualified, highly educated, and in some cases, previously trained officers in order to contend with the increased demands and complexities of modern policing. The Grand Prairie Police Department continues to be one of the most attractive departments in the Metroplex due to our progressive training, outstanding facilities, modern technology, exceptional equipment, and competitive levels of pay. In order to maintain a leading position in recruitment of top tiered candidates, the Department seeks to modify our lateral entry pay (special pay) program to simplify recruitment, administration and provide flexibility in considering candidates who have prior peace officer experience. The current provisions were set to consider the prior policing agency size in comparison to ours, as well as require at least three years of prior experience to qualify. This has become burdensome to both Human Resources and our Police Recruitment team in trying to validate the prior agency size, number of sworn officers and detail currently required.
Through this ordinance, we recommend a simplified set of rules for lateral entry into our pay system if a candidate has the qualifying experience. The ordinance change allows greater flexibility and simplified administration, as well as widening the opportunity to recruit experienced talent in a competitive market. We are proposing reducing the three-year requirement to two-years of prior experience and eliminating the need to determine size of agency as compared to ours. We have found over time that it is the drive, determination and quality of the candidate that evidences success and not necessarily whether they came from a smaller or larger agency.
Once this ordinance is passed, current officers will be evaluated against this new standard and will be adjusted accordingly if impacted. Initial estimates are approximately $80,000 in potential pay changes, which current funding is available in the Police Department. Revising this ordinance is the first step necessary to adjust the lateral entry pay, followed by updates to our Local Rules affecting Police that are required by State Law.
This Ordinance will become effective on May 26th, 2018 so that we may begin hiring from the applicant pool following our Police Entrance Examination being held in mid-May over the course of the next 6 months.
This Ordinance went before the Finance and Government Committee on May 1, 2018 due to potential budgetary impact once final analysis is completed.
Financial Consideration
Funding for the modification of the Seniority Pay affecting Lateral Entry for Police Officers under specified circumstances, in the estimated amount of $80,000 is available in the FY 2017/2018 General Fund Police Department salary savings. Full funding will be part of the FY 2018/2019 Proposed General Fund Budget, Police Department.
Body
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, 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 Human Resources and/or Police Department policies. Such policies are subject to change as needed and approved by the City Manager for purposes of City policies or by the Chief of Police for purposes of Police Department policies; 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 qualifications previously adopted in October 2015.
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, full-time certified peace officer, in accordance with the provisions of the Police Department policy affecting such. Certified peace officer experience means they had the authority to enforce laws, investigate crimes, make arrests, respond to calls for service, carry a firearm, and use discretion as part of their assigned duties. Such policy may be modified as needed, and in compliance with this ordinance or future related ordinance, to properly administer the lateral pay program in accordance with Human Resources and Police Department provisions and budget, pay plans and as stated in the Police Officers and Fire Fighters Local Civil Service Rules as allowed through Chapter 143. A lateral entry applicant shall not have more than a three (3)-year break in service from the time the applicant left the law enforcement agency and the time the applicant applied with the Grand Prairie Police Department.
c. Starting Pay:
i. Lateral entry officers who have at least two (2) years of paid, continuous full time service as a peace officer in a law enforcement agency shall be placed at the step in the police pay schedule commensurate with their qualified complete years of experience up to, but not exceeding, the rate of pay specified in beginning pay level of Step 7.
ii. 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.
d. 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.
e. Requirements: Guidelines and administration for eligibility for lateral entry shall be governed by police policies. 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.
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/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 TCLEOSE shall be paid certification pay in the amount of $9.23 per work week or $40 per month for Intermediate Certification or $18.46 per work week or $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. Shift Differential pay shall be paid at a rate of $23.08 per work week or $100 per month while on a qualified shift.
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. Police Department policy 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 May 26, 2018 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 1st day of May, 2018.