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Politics & Government

Village Approves New Agreement with Police

Libertyville officials approved a new three-year agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police.

After four months of negotiations, the village has approved a new agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police that reflects new salaries and where police officers are distributed in the community.

Libertyville trustees approved a new agreement Tuesday that will remain in effect for three years and expires on April 30, 2014.

As part of the agreement, a training wage has been introduced for new police officers that do not have prior police experience. These officers will be paid 3 percent lower than the typically rate while they are undergoing three months of police academy and three months assignment with a field training officer, according to Police Chief Clinton Herdegen.

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A new shift will also be introduced to train new police officers and increase staffing during higher call volumes. Two officers were hired six months ago as part of the power shift. The department does not plan to hire additional officers to specifically fill the power shift, according to Herdegen.

"The new officers get the most experience to the most activity and learn the job quicker," he said. "They get experience to the most diverse and most volume of calls we have while we also provide a greater service to the community." 

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The agreement also details four 1 percent salary increases between now and November 2012, and a 2 percent salary increase effective May 2012.

The collective bargaining agreement between the village and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 33 expired April 30. Staff had been meeting with the lodge negotiating team to devise a new agreement. When the two sides met an impasse, a federal mediator was brought in last July to help the two sides reach an agreement.

At Tuesday’s board meeting, Herdegen praised the teams within the village and Fraternal Order of Police for showing civility during the bargaining process.

“On the FOP side, they responded to us with high degree of civility, professionalism and an understanding of financial situation the village has been faced with during these difficult budgetary times,” he said. “I want to express my appreciation to both sides for the manner in which they approached the negotiation process.”

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