Darien RTM Approves New 4-Year Police Contract

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Representative Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved a new four-year contract between the town and the Darien Police Association last week.

The contract, which is retroactive to July 1, 2022, includes general wage increases of 2.75 percent for 2022 and 2023, and 3.125 percent for 2024 and 2025.

Due to the current high cost of living, the town agreed to a bonus of $1,500 per member who is employed as of the date of the execution of the agreement.

Employees' premium cost shares will increase to 11 percent in 2023, 12 percent in 2024 and 13 percent in 2026. This equals a total savings of $8,000 per year.

The new contract provides additional means for officers to save for retirement. Members can "cash in" up to six sick days annually in exchange for a contribution to the employee's 457 account.

In a memo from Town Administrator Kate Buch to First Selectman Monica McNally on the contract, Buch said the town believes that in addition to providing retirement savings for employees, this will encourage employees to manage their sick time appropriately.

There are also minor changes such as a small boost in longevity pay rates and a small increase in the sick time accrual rate. There are also language changes regarding use of personal days and bereavement.

In a meeting with the RTM's Public Health and Safety and Finance & Budget Committees earlier this month, Buch said Darien is "generally more of the well-paid communities" when it comes to its police department.

"We look at wages, we look at all the benefits, the medical insurance benefits, the life insurance benefits, the paid time off, whether they receive retiree medical or not, what kind of pension benefits they receive," Buch said about working on a new contract.

"We try and put together a package that is comparable overall. While we may be on a base wage higher paid, there are other areas where we're not at the same level as other towns," she added.

Buch said that "it is difficult right now to hire." She noted that the number of candidates who want to be police officers is lower than in the past, and the quality of candidates "can be challenging."

RTM Public Health & Safety Committee Chair Mac Patrick said last week Darien pays its police officers well, but the overall department is small and there's not a lot of opportunity to advance in rank.

"Personnel do leave Darien, not for better pay, but for the ability to move up in rank," he said.

RTM Finance & Budget Committee Chair Jack Davis said during last week's meeting that "police are one of those jobs that are getting harder and harder to fill to find quality individuals."

He noted the maturity of the Darien police force.

"We have a very mature police force. Most of them are at the upper ranks. In fact, at the end of this contract, it's anticipated that 90 percent of our members will be at the top tiers," he said.

He praised the retirement plan change and the ability to cash-in sick days.

Also during the RTM meeting, the legislative body approved a new contract for teachers.