Police union, Chambersburg happy with police contract [Public Opinion, Chambersburg, Pa.]

Nov. 30--Although savings from the new police union contract allowed Chambersburg Borough Council to keep one police officer for six months, two other proposed cuts are not saved by the contract.

"The number of officers isn't defined in the contract. It's defined by borough code," said Ian Armstrong, president for the Chambersburg Police Officers Association.

Armstrong said he is happy with the contract award, which includes pay raises of 2.5 percent in 2012 moving up to 4.5 percent in 2015. In addition, officers will begin paying into their pension and health insurance for the first time in 2012.

"I'm extremely happy with the contract. It's not everything we asked for and it's not everything the borough asked for but it's a happy medium," he said.

In 2011, the average Chambersburg police officer had wages of $57,013 and benefits of $37,017, according to a release.

"In my personal opinion, the award is about as fair and balanced as awards could be," said Jeffrey Stonehill, borough manager.

Armstrong said the contract went to arbitration because the department and borough could not agree on pension, health care and pay raises for the police.

CPOA has submitted numbers to the borough that were higher than they wanted because in the past the borough has "lowballed" them, Armstrong said.

The counter-proposals from the borough would have resulted in police officers taking home less than they currently do, he said.

"The borough's position

throughout was that we were unable to allow wages and benefits to continue to grow at historic rates given the extreme pressure on tax revenues in the borough's general fund -- the home of the police department budget," Stonehill said.

Despite the positive award, Chambersburg Police Chief David Arnold and Armstrong have expressed concerns over possible cuts in the department.

"I was a little concerned with the six month officer (cut) because they're talking about a retirement and nobody has said they wanted to retire," Armstrong said.

The preliminary budget includes the elimination of two open police officer positions and one clerical position within the Chambersburg Police Department.

To eliminate those positions would affect the manpower, officer safety and officer workload of the department, Armstrong said.

"Can we handle those calls with less people? Yes, but there's going to be longer time in-between," he said.

Councilman Thomas Newcomer said the police department has operated with 30 officers before and not seen an increase in crime.

"Maybe it's time we ask the chief and the police officers to find different ways to operate within 30 officers," he said.

In contrast, Councilman Glenn Manns said he wants to keep all officers since the cost would only be an addition $13 a year in taxes for each citizen.

"That's a lot of protection we're going to lose for about $1 a month," he said.

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Samantha Cossick can be reached at scossick@publicopinionnews.com and 262-4762 or follow her on Twitter at @SCossickPO.

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