Linton police sign first-ever contract with city

By Andrea McCann, staff writer

Perseverance paid off Tuesday for Linton Police Department officers.

After decades without a contract, representatives from the police department signed a working agreement with Linton Mayor Tom Jones.

“It's a collective bargaining agreement,” said Patrol Officer Chad Crynes, one of two officers elected to represent the department in arranging the provisions of the contract. “The contract allows for negotiation that we've never had before.”

LPD Chief Keith McDonald said the three-year contract was achieved through the Fraternal Order of Police. LPD officers belong to FOP Lodge 105. He explained that Crynes and Patrol Officer Josh Goodman have worked on the details for a year with Mike Cook, who represents FOP lodges statewide.

“One of the things that's unusual is that this is the first time we've had a contract or representation by the FOP,” McDonald said. “We're the last city department to obtain a working agreement with the city. It was negotiated by the FOP.”

The working agreement will allow the officers to negotiate wages, time and benefits. It opens an avenue for communication that wasn't available to them in the past, McDonald said.

“We took what was given to us before,” Crynes said.

The new contract expands vacation days, sick time and holidays for the 10 police officers on the force. McDonald said until now those things haven't changed in the 20 years he's been in the department. New features are educational incentives starting in 2007 and longevity pay.

“Obviously, it's something the policemen here are excited about,” McDonald said. “It's something they've been looking forward to for several years. The mayor (Tom Jones) was instrumental in it. He said from the git-go that he was interested in getting a contract.”

Both the mayor and the chief explained that the contract is good for the city, as well as for the LPD. McDonald said the longevity pay is key to retaining senior officers who they've invested with training.

“It helps the city and the police officers both,” McDonald said. “It's peace of mind for the police officers, because with any city government the budget is tight. They know what to expect for the next three years.”

He said the city government, by the same token, knows the officers' needs and expectations, and can budget accordingly.

“They were very understanding of the needs of the city, and the city understands theirs,” the mayor said.

“They have a little say-so now in their future.”

He said the officers deserve representation by an organization, and he's very proud of the way the negotiations went.

“It can create conflict, but I hope that never happens,” Jones said.

He added that he believes the working agreement is a good approach.

“I think it's a positive step forward for the department,” said Lt. Det. Troy Jerrell.