Chief Forte and the FOP can't understand why KCPD would get the lowest raise out of all city departments.
The city released its proposed financial plan for the next five years. In it, the police department would get a 2 percent raise increase. The fire department would get a 4.7 percent increase, and other city employees would get a 2.5 percent increase.
"I wasn't surprised to see it for the fire department or the city workers, and I don't besmudge that at all. What I am struggling with is when the city thinks public safety is its number one issue," FOP President Brad Lemon said.
Lemon and Forte say the department won't be able to deal with increasing crime with that kind of money. Kansas City has had 95 murders in 2016 so far.
They say the city will suffer.
"You know, it's shocking in today's day and age when we're in the top six most violent cities in the country - a time when a city has chosen not to pay police officers that are currently here," Lemon said.
In his blog, Forte said the department has already gotten rid of 100 law enforcement and 100 non-sworn positions because of budget issues over the last several years. They anticipate eliminating another 25 this year.
The police can't negotiate because they don't have unionized representatives, like the fire department does. Mayor Pro Tem Scott Wagner said 2 percent is the standard raise for non-bargaining units.
The FOP can make requests, but the police board controls the funds.
The city is required to spend 20% of the general fund on the police department. Right now spending is at 28 percent, according to Wagner.
Still, the department says they deserve equal pay.
"Until you call 911 and until you need help or until you look outside and don't see a police car in your neighborhood ever, I think that's when the public starts to realize there's an issue," Lemon said.
The city council will vote on the plan Thursday.
Forte urges those who also take issue with it to call their council members.
KC Mayor Sly James released the following statement:
As mayor, the safety and protection of our city is a top priority for me. This isn’t platitude – this is my commitment, and it requires cooperation among not only the city and my office but the cooperation of law enforcement and state officials.
I value Chief Forte’s leadership. His dedication to his force, and this city, comes at a time when police across the country in metropolitan areas large and small have faced strained relationships and eroding trust. We benefit in Kansas City from his service and focus on maintaining strong relationships and building bridges between law enforcement and our communities. I mentioned that protecting our city is a commitment of mine, not just platitude. I mean that. And that’s why – if anyone wants to talk about what is NOT being done to support our FOP, we absolutely have to talk about what HAS been done by my administration to support, strengthen, and value our police department. KC police has received a budget increase EVERY year that I’ve been in office, since 2011. I want to say that again. Our police department has received pay increases of 2% or more in their wages plus larger increases to benefits since I entered office five years ago.
In that same time, the city and FOP reached a contract agreement on pension and salary in 2013, that reflected cooperative effort, and represented stability for the years ahead. Our city spends 74 cents of every dollar in our general fund on public safety. 74 percent. We don’t pinch pennies when it comes to our city’s safety OR the value of those who protect and serve us. As the only city in the nation without local control of our police department – - we’ve made these advancements and strengthened our commitment to our police department DESPITE a state legislature that determines big parts of our city’s law enforcement policies.
This issue has real consequences. We absolutely have to maintain a top tier police department and my record shows my commitment to just that. Continuing this will require the same cooperation, open communication, and shared vision of success that has made gains possible in recent years. I would invite the FOP, and Chief Forte, for whom I have great respect, to keep in mind the progress we’ve made together.
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