Denver Police officers vote to delay pay raises and save jobs

Denver Police officers  voted last night to delay scheduled contract pay raises for 2010 and 2011 to help close the city’s looming $160 million budget deficit.

Mayor Hickenlooper had threatened to layoff nearly 100 officers if the Police Protective Association did not agree to the contract concessions.

Originally the PPA would not agree to the terms, but after some contract sweeteners from the city, and politicking by veteran officers to save the threatened jobs, the rank and file voted to approve the contract.

While this is seen as a victory for the Mayor, the reality is that it only buys him $6 million in the current budget cycle.  The city needs concessions that result in permanent savings, and unfortunately the Mayor and the Police, will likely be revisiting this issue again next year.