YPD pay plan expected to be implemented into next year’s budget

The City of Yuma and Yuma police have been in talks discussing police pay over the last few days. At Tuesday evening’s Yuma City Council work session, it was clear they are on the same page when it comes to the police pay plan.

YPD Chief John Lekan said he sent out an email to his officers that included four potential pay plans and is anticipating feedback that he plans to give to City Administrator Greg Wilkinson.

“Each has unique positives and negatives. It’s a little bit too early to tell, but I know within the next week or so we’ll probably have that carved down to one plan,” said Chief Lekan.

Yuma police officers have been in contact with the city for months trying to create a pay plan that will help them recruit and retain officers.

Chief Lekan confirmed at least 12 officers are eyeing other agencies at the moment and called it a conservative number.

“It pretty much runs pretty standard over the course of when they’re looking for the job, that it’s a combination of federal jobs, Phoenix agencies, some will go back to California but mostly Arizona because they have Arizona peace officer certifications,” said Chief Lekan.

Councilmember Edward Thomas even mentioned emails he has received from spouses of officers relaying a similar narrative.

“I’ve received many emails from the spouses of our police men and women indicating that my husband or wife they’re looking they’re disappointed. We may go to another city and we may apply elsewhere,” said Councilmember Thomas, while asking Chief Lekan a question.

A labor market study, which will illustrate and compare similar positions from other communities to positions that our officers hold, has not been officially completed and won’t be until December 28, according to City of Yuma Human Resources. However, city officials did offer an update.

“What I do know is that we are roughly 7.5 to eight percent below market, but I don’t have any implementation costs really at this time because it’s all still a draft,” said Monica Welch, Human Resource Director.

A completed study will be presented to the city council during their meeting in January. The study cost the city about $30,000, according to the City of Yuma Human Resources.

City officials do not expect the raise will take effect any sooner than July when the next budget year begins.

Regardless city employees will be getting a two percent raise to ring in the new year.