"This proposal is vital for the public safety of San Francisco. In addition to the hiring of 700 new police officers over the next 5 years, we must do all that we can to retain our experienced law enforcement professionals," said Mayor Newsom.
"These bonuses allow for our veteran police officers to stay on the force, while also declaring to the best and brightest in law enforcement, across the United States, that San Francisco will compensate you accordingly for your services," continued the Mayor.
The proposal - which is an amendment to the 2003-2007 Memorandum of Understanding between the City and County of San Francisco and the San Francisco Police Officers' Association (SFPOA) -- specifically establishes the following: (1) retention pay of an additional 4% for officers who have completed thirty or more years of service, (2) provides $1,000 referral bonuses for officers who refer successful candidates for police officer positions, (3) provides lateral signing bonuses of $5,000 for police officers hired from other police agencies, (4) allocates $250,000 annually to a joint labor-management recruitment committee, and (5) eliminates the practice of allowing retiring officers to use accrued leave during their final 90 days of employment.
The 4% retention pay increase would take effect June 30, 2007, while the referral and signing bonuses would be effective immediately
