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I was sent this letter earlier today.
The city required that police officers sign a 5 year contract. They put into the contract that the officers will be charged, in the event that they leave prior to the 5 years are up, for the academy (which comes to about $1200) and for equipment and specifically states "Gun, radio, uniforms" etc. All the items are returned upon termination by the way.
Officers have left over the past 5 years for various reasons including total incompetency and poorly run department. The pay is significantly lower then other departments and the workload is significantly greater. Officers making $30,000 for the city can jump to another agency such as WCSO, OCPD, or other making $47,000 with the possibility of a take home car. After years of submitting requests three officers are being given take homes finally. So, officers have left violating the contract. Because they stand to make $10,000 more in one year then staying for 5 losing $20,000 or $30,000.
The city is suing the officers for $10,000.00 each! These are officers that have served the city and the community for a period of at least two or three years, putting their lives on the line, for low money and harsh working conditions. They finally just couldn't take it anymore and had to leave for their sanity and to support their families. Besides the city is charging these officers for equipment that was all returned!