Police positions saved in Oro Valley thanks to OVPOA, AZCOPS
The months-long effort by the Oro Valley Police Officers Association and AZCOPS to persuade the Town Council from cutting police jobs proved successful last week when officials voted to spare the six officer positions and cut back in other areas.
The patrol positions became the target of the Oro Valley Town Council in March when they announced plans to cut some 30 jobs across the departments in an effort to save money.
OVPOA and AZCOPS President Larry Lopez addressed the Council in March and warned that the move would put the public at risk. The original proposal would have disbanded the Community Action Team, which is responsible for stemming the flow of heroin into the area. Lopez said it wasn't right to put officers' jobs on the line while several months earlier the City Manager had accepted a $21,000 pay raise, $12,000 in deferred comp and 500 additional hours of vacation time bringing his salary to about $165,000.
In response to opposition expressed by OVPOA and AZCOPS, the Council voted to approve an alternative plan for cutbacks that avoided layoffs by eliminating five vacant positions and a sixth one that will be vacated by September. Those positions included a dispatcher, a reserve officer, two patrol officers and a part-time records specialist. Other savings were found in the areas of equipment, travel and training and outside professional services.
OVPOA Spokesman Chris Palic said the Association appreciated the Council for accepting the alternative to job losses. But, he will continue to monitor upcoming discussions on the police budget to be sure that officer safety isn't put at risk by any additional proposed cuts.
Working to protect members' jobs
In addition to fighting for members jobs in Oro Valley and the Department of Corrections, Lopez recently addressed elected officials in Flagstaff where the City is considering layoffs of patrol officers. To find out more about how AZCOPS is working to protect members' jobs, watch for the next edition of the newsletter, AZCOPS SPEAKS -- coming to your mailbox later this month.
