San Diego County sheriff’s deputies may soon get what’s described as a sizable pay increase, according to a union spokesperson.
The Deputy Sheriff’s Association told NBC 7 that the union has signed a tentative multi-year contract agreement with the county.
The agreement would provide deputies with their first pay increase in five years.
Matt Clay with the DSA would not disclose the increase, saying the deal must be ratified by members, but he did say the it will help make the department more competitive with other local law enforcement agency salaries.
Clay said it may also help San Diego police in their negotiations with city councilmembers.
Historically San Diego's police rank and file receives the least compensation for the same job elsewhere in the county.
Brian Marvel, President of the San Diego Police Officers Association (POA) said the deal would give the sheriff's department an advantage in recruitment.
“Clearly, the County is proactively addressing their public safety needs, while the City of San Diego is still considering ways to prevent half of its 1,800 officers from retiring in the next four years,” Marvel said.
Clay said he’s very confident the San Diego City Council will do something with the San Diego POA soon after deputies vote on the deal and the details are made public.
