Centerville police union to receive retroactive pay increases under new contract

Centerville and the Ohio Patrolmen s Benevolent Association have officially signed off on an collective bargaining agreement.

Centerville and the Ohio Patrolmen s Benevolent Association have officially signed off on an collective bargaining agreement.

A collective bargaining agreement between the first union for the Centerville Police Department and the city is now official.

The three-year agreement between the city and the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association was signed last week. The agreement addresses grievance procedures, discipline, vacation, holidays, leave, wages, overtime, separation and insurance, according to Maureen Russell-Hodgson, community resources coordinator for the city.

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“After about nine months of working with OPBA, we voted to approve a measure approving the CBA after all the signatures are there to make it official,” said City Manager Wayne Davis.

The agreement includes salary increases for affected employees of 2.75 percent in 2018, 2.75 percent in 2019 and 2.5 percent in 2020.

After the CBA was made official last week, the 2018 pay increase became effective retroactive to Jan. 1, 2018, and policies and procedures became effective as of Aug. 1, 2018.

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The Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association said the police department connected with the group early in 2017 for representation, and negotiations with the city began in the fall. OPBA represents police departments and law enforcement agencies throughout Ohio.

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Centerville recently named a new police chief, Matt Brown, who served as interim chief since February, when former chief Bruce Robertson retired.

Brown, who was appointed at a salary of $123,302.40, took over a department with 52 employees: 37 sworn officers, 12 employees in records and communication and three administrative employees.

He said he’s going to focus on hiring and retaining quality candidates to fill current and future openings within the department.

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