The ongoing compensation negotiations between the City of Henderson and two police unions have been in the spotlight, with both sides presenting their views on the matter. The Henderson Police Officer Association (HPOA) and Henderson Police Supervisors Association (HPSA) have been seeking improved pay and benefits for their respective members, leading to an impasse with city officials. According to a report by News 3 LV, the unions have accused Henderson of pitting them against each other, a move they say could harm the community.
Michael Goodwin, president of the HPOA, lamented that the city, once lauded as a benchmark for law enforcement pay, seems to have fallen from grace as negotiations have stalled with the city. The union aims to reverse a 4.375% salary reduction, which was meant to support the state retirement fund, by pushing for increased wages. Goodwin stated to News 3 LV, "It is getting to the point where we are not necessarily competitive when it comes to the benefits package," highlighting that new recruits might opt for other Clark County law enforcement agencies over Henderson.
A statement from the city claimed that a generous offer had been presented to the unions, indicating that the proposal would have made Henderson officers the most compensated in the valley, but the unions declined this proposal. From the city's perspective, these were steps toward a fair compensation package that would balance their financial responsibilities while maintaining public safety as a priority. This was echoed in the city's statement claiming, "Nearly 60 percent of the City’s General Fund budget is dedicated to public safety," which was obtained by both News 3 LV and KTNV.
The chief of the Henderson Police Department, Reggie Rader, has made a final attempt to prevent arbitration by outlining a contract offer through a seven-page letter to the union leadership. Henderson's latest proposal includes wage scale adjustments for the HPOA, guaranteeing a 5% raise in the first year and a 3% raise in the subsequent year. Furthermore, the HPSA has been offered up to an additional 5% in retention pay to reward long-term service, as detailed in a KTNV report. However, should the unions and the city not come to an agreement, an arbitration deadline is set for October 13th.
