City, police force reach new contract deal
Columbia Falls police give a man a field sobriety test after he wrecked his truck driving through two fences in downtown Columbia Falls in this file photo.
The City of Columbia Falls and the Columbia Falls Fraternal Order of Police recently completed a new three year collective bargain agreement.
The agreement runs through 2022.
The new wage scheduled includes a 2% step and 3% annual increase each year. The wage schedules were also modified to reflect a 20-step schedule and reflect position/grade specific to the police department union positions.
If an officer works a shift after 5 p.m., they receive an additional $1 per hour. The additional $1 per hour is also included in the calculation of overtime pay.
Holiday pay is 2-1/2 times the regular hourly rate. A patrolman just starting out would make $21.06 per hour this year. By 2021-22 a starting patrolman will make $22.34 an hour.
The top hourly rate for a sergeant at the end of this contract, if the individual had full steps, would be $38.19 an hour. The contract has 20 steps, determined by longevity, on the job training and education.
Under the contract, the city provides bullet-resistant vests.
Officers also receive a $1,000 a year uniform allowance, provided they’re beyond their probationary period.
Police also receive health insurance benefits and retirement benefits as well.