OCEANSIDE — A 2.5 percent pay increase was approved for Oceanside police captains and lieutenants, along with two additional pay hikes next year.
Police Chief Frank McCoy said he sees it fitting that police management and officers receive the highest pay possible for their hard work, dedication and heavy workload.
City Council unanimously approved the two-year memo of understanding with police management Feb. 17.
The initial 2.5 percent increase will be effective from January 2016. An additional 1.5 percent raise will be added in January 2017, and a .5 percent bump in pay in July 2017.
Additional compensation includes the addition of step C to the police management pay scale, and a lump sum payment of $3,000 upon 12 years of service.
The total annual increase for the 11 management positions adds up $303,584, which will be absorbed by police department salary savings due to employee vacancies.
The department is looking to fill several positions including 11 officers.
Five officers graduated from the police academy this month and are now serving the city. Six more will begin academy training in March.
“We’re diligent in filling all vacancies,” McCoy said.
The previous memo of understanding with management expired in December 2015. A tentative agreement was reached in January 2016, while negotiations were finalized.
The current posted pay range for captains is $12,717 to $13,321 a month. Lieutenants earn $10,710 to $11,256 a month.
The city’s memo of understanding with other sworn positions will also be updated this year.
Oceanside is finalizing terms with police officers.
McCoy’s contract runs through 2016.
McCoy was rehired to serve as chief in 2014, after a search to find a replacement was unsuccessful. McCoy retired in 2013 and served as interim chief for six months before the decision was made to rehire him at $208,304 a year, plus a 6.5 percent pay increase in 2015.
McCoy said he does not have a second retirement date in mind, and plans to continue to serve as chief as long as the City Council and city manager are happy with the job he does.
