The Arizona Highway Patrol Association has launched “an educational campaign” to promote increased funding for the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) and its employees.
The Association (union) says DPS is experiencing a “significant gap between what the agency’s employees are paid as compared to other Arizona law enforcement agencies and relevant private employers throughout the state.”
According to the DPS 2013 pay study, sworn employee compensation lags behind the market 23.3% on average and civilian employee compensation behind an average 22.6%. The AHPA has paid for competitiveness studies since 2008 in order to promote pay increases.
This year, DPS requested a 4% pay increase for every employee from the Governor’s Office.
DPS enacted a hiring freeze in 2008, currently leaving the agency down 169 police officers and 65 civilian positions. According to DPS, the agency is expecting 104 officer retirements between now and the end of 2016. “Between our current shortage of employees and the knowledge that other police departments will begin or continue to hire more people, it is essential the legislature help us address DPS’ competitiveness,” said Sgt. Jimmy Chavez, president of the AHPA (union).
The PR campaign, entitled “We are DPS”, demonstrates from a “police employee’s perspective the need to address DPS’ ability to stay competitive with other law enforcement agencies.” Union members, “with AHPA’s guidance and assistance,” their families and friends, are contacting their elected officials explaining the need for adequate funding to DPS for competitive employee compensation. “We are DPS” has successfully been used in the past.