TEHACHAPI, Calif. — Last week, in a unanimous vote the Tehachapi City Council approved a new five-year police contract that ranks TPD 4th in starting pay compared to surrounding Kern and Los Angeles County agencies.
In a news release, officials said the new contract that's been in negotiations since April reduces the pay scale from 15 steps to 5 steps for both police officers and senior officers.
In result, officers will receive a 3.6% Cost of Living Adjustment with an additional $200 uniform allowance in the first and third year of the agreement. Officers will also get a shift rotation every four months based on department seniority.
Tehachapi Police Officers Association President Wayne Horning said in a statement:
“We felt it was a fair and equitable contract for both sides. It was a pleasure working with Chief Kroeger and the City of Tehachapi to reach an unheard of five-year agreement. There was compromise on both sides and we feel we played a role in helping maintain a balanced budget for the city and we became a much more attractive law enforcement agency to work for."
