The City Council declared an impasse today in labor negotiations with the San Diego Police Officers Association.
Because a compromise between the city and union could not be reached, a one-year contract with no new pay or benefit increases will be imposed on the city's police officers.
"I don't think any further discussion will have any impact," Mayor Jerry Sanders told the council in announcing the impasse.
It is the second year in a row that the city has been unable to work out a labor agreement with the police union.
The SDPOA, which represents about 2,000 uniformed officers in the city of San Diego, was seeking about $9.1 million in pay and retirement increases in the coming fiscal year, according to Sanders.
Sanders told the council that San Diego's ongoing budget problems preclude raises for any of the city's workers.
"Given the city's financial situation, I just don't feel comfortable at this time allowing a pay increase or a pension benefits increase," he said. "I just don't think this is the proper time."
Sanders again labeled the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1, as a "stabilization" period.
"It would be great to give them a raise," the former chief of police said. "I wish we had the money to do it."
Bill Nemec, president of the SDPOA, said the city's failure to provide better police pay and benefits will force officers to continue to seek employment with other departments.
"They are leaving faster than we can replace them," he said.
The association began airing 30-second television commercials last month, arguing that low pay is forcing officers to leave the city.
The salary for a junior officer with the San Diego Police Department is $43,752 to $52,800, according to the city. In contrast, a new novice Los Angeles police officer earns a base salary of $51,114 to $55,248.
Sanders acknowledged that something needs to be done to retain experienced officers, but said the problem is national one.
"It's part of a much larger problem," he said.
The mayor cited a generational aversion to entering the police force; the military preventing soldiers from leaving; the region's high housing costs; and the $1.4 billion shortfall in the city's retirement system.
Sanders' proposed budget includes funding for 2,100 officers. The department now has 1,947 sworn officers.
Councilman Jim Madaffer described the decision to declare an impasse with the police union as a "painful" one.
"For right now, the decisions that are being made today, while painful, are necessary while we move this city forward and back into fiscal stability," Madaffer said.