New contract boosts pay, benefits of civilians who work for police

Civilian employees of the Metropolitan Police Department have a new contract that will bring them more than 22 percent in pay and benefit raises through the next four years.

The contract, approved 4-0 Monday by the Metropolitan Police Committee on Fiscal Affairs, covers 911 operators, crime scene analysts, office workers and other members with the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, Civilian Employees.

The union represents approximately 1,300 employees in all.

The union membership also approved the contract with a unanimous vote.

"Not everybody got what they wanted, but concessions were made to get this contract signed and ratified," Sheriff Doug Gillespie said in praising all sides for reaching an agreement without a prolonged battle.

The contract includes cost-of-living raises between 3.75 percent and 4.38 percent each year. Those raises will be added to yearly step pay raises of 4 percent and to longevity pay raises.

The police department also increased its payments for employee medical benefits. Those increases will range from 10 percent to 18 percent a year.

The cost of the contract will total $23 million over the next four years.