The membership of the Cape Coral Fraternal Order of Police would like to clarify erroneous statements being made by some of our elected officials that has created public misconceptions concerning ongoing police contract negotiations. Mayor Sullivan was recently quoted stating, “It seems to me that everybody else gave something back and they don’t want to help; how much did (the police and firefighter unions) save?” Either the mayor is sadly misinformed or is intentionally making misleading statements.

Since 2008, police officers agreed to forego yearly salary step increases, which equates to a 12-15 percent salary decrease today. Police officers also agreed to the reduction of holidays and the restructuring of our leave buy-back program, which saved the city nearly $1.5 million last year. These savings still exist today.

When we began contract re-opener negotiations in November 2010 the city faced a budget shortfall for this fiscal year in the police department of $567,000. The police officers again presented a plan to the city labor negotiators that would have already saved the city $1.1 million this year. This was well over the needed savings, but they rejected our proposal. Our last offer to the city would have the potential savings of $740,000 but again the city rejected it. Now we are being faced with a financial dilemma created by city council lowering the millage rate for 2011. The average savings from the roll-back to homeowners in Cape Coral is $1 per month, yet accepting a 5 percent wage reduction would cost the average police officer nearly $200 per month. Does this seem right?

The police union proposed to the city in June to end re-opener negotiations and begin negotiating the 2012 contract. Again, the city refused. The contract we continue negotiating has only a month remaining in the fiscal year and union concessions will do absolutely nothing for the proposed 2012 budget, except pad city reserves. Now the police union is being told that the police officers must accept over $800,000 in pay cuts or 12 officers will be laid off in order to balance the budget (and assist in securing the city manager’s $27,000 bonus package next year). The day that the city manager notified the police chief to cut 12 police officers was the same day that the media reported on his proposed 2012 salary bonus package.

In 2008, the police department was authorized 280 sworn officers. The city manager has already cut 11 sworn officer positions from the 2012 proposed budget. Cutting an additional 12 would leave just 208 sworn police officers; staff levels not seen since the 90’s. The national average is 2.3 police officers per 1,000 residents (according to the USDOJ). If these reductions occur the city would be left with only 1.3 officers per 1,000 residents, far below national standards.

Most importantly, if police officers are laid off this will undeniably create a threat to public safety, and recently released crime statistics reveal that crime is already on the rise. There is a reason

Cape Coral is the second safest city in Florida. Criminals fear that they will get caught by Cape Coral police officers if they commit crimes in Cape Coral. They are certainly not fearful of elected officials or consultants. The question begs to be asked, “Are the city manager, mayor, or council members honestly concerned with resident’s safety?” All police officers ask from the public is for their continued support, and perhaps a phone call or email to city administrators to voice their opinions.

To answer Mayor Sullivan’s question, we have saved the city over a million dollars, we have sacrificed our blood and sweat to keep this city safe, and we continue to be more than willing to help this city. Police officers should not be blamed for the city’s budget shortfalls. We are not policymakers, we are public servants.

– Kurtis Grau, President Cape Coral FOP Lodge 33