Red Bank Cops Get New Contract, Guaranteed Raises

In what Mayor Pat Menna described as a relatively simple process without much in the way of misgivings, the Red Bank Council and PBA Local 39 agreed to terms on a new contract retroactive to the start of the year that will carry the borough police department through 2013.

The new contract calls for some police concessions, but also guarantees three years of pay raises, something not seen in many municipalities recently. For each of the three years police will receive a two percent raise, a figure agreed upon by the borough because it will not cause the borough, theoretically, to exceed the two percent spending cap installed by the State.

The concessions, it seems, are likely those changes likely to be brought about by the state in regards to health care and pension reform. Should bill S-2937, which was approved by the State Senate this week and is up for vote from the Assembly today, be approved, police would have to pay more for health benefits.

Menna said he believes the negotiated contract is fair for the borough’s residents and the police department, which he called one of the top departments in the entire state.

“These are difficult times but I think this is an appropriate balance,” he said.

The approval of the contract came following a five-minute closed session following the borough’s regular council meeting Wednesday. Council President Art Murphy, liaison to the police department, said the new contract is not only fair to the police officers, but also helps Red Bank keep its budget in check.

The previous contract with the police union expired at the end of 2010.

Murphy said the department has done its best with what has been a staff reduced over time by attrition. At its height, the Red Bank Police Department had 42 officers. Now it has 37, leaving the remaining staff to pick up the slack. Murphy said there’s been talk about adding one more officer, but that no final hiring decision has been made.

The police contract wasn’t the only one settled Wednesday night. For the first time in borough history, Red Bank has a contract with its Chief of Police. Chief Steve McCarthy was given a contract through 2016, a move that not only rewards McCarthy, but the borough as well, Menna claims.

The terms of McCarthy’s contract are similar to those of the department’s, the only difference being that this is a first for the borough. Murphy said it gives McCarthy and the borough security. McCarthy knows, Murphy said, that the position, which was previously approved on an annual basis, is his. It also prevents McCarthy from leaving should more attractive offers comes through.