MA, Quinn Bill - was passed by the state Legislature in 1970. It requires participating municipalities to provide 10 to 25 percent salary increases to police officers who obtain advanced degrees in criminal justice. Traditionally, the state and the municipality split the cost of the salary increase.
But in 2009 and 2010, the state drastically cut, then eliminated its portion of the funding.
Since then, the 254 municipalities which adopted the Quinn Bill, have had myriad approaches. Some negotiated clauses into collective bargaining agreements requiring the municipality to pay the state’s share. Others paid only the 50 percent municipal portion, leading to a drop in police salaries. Some created new education incentive programs.
The carrot was Any city or town which accepts the provisions of this section and provides career incentive salary increases for police officers shall be reimbursed by the commonwealth for one half the costs of such payments upon certification by the board of higher education. The board of higher education shall certify the amount of such reimbursement to be paid to such city or town from information filed on or before September first of each year with said board, on a form furnished by it, the chief of police, or one of similar rank, of the city or town police department. So just like regional school transportation which the state promised to pay, they again screwed us. Time might be here to start looking at things the town voted in when the "carrots" were in place, but have since disappeared; perhaps they now need to disappear from our budget / tax on our residents?
Oh, how strongly we agree!
ReplyDeleteThis was a scam on taxpayers from the get go.
This is not about defunding the police; it is about refunding the taxpayers.
ReplyDeleteI'm not looking to "defund" the Police, just tone them down, demilitarize, and stop acting like their lives have more value then civilians. The shoot for "fear of life" is bullshit. Cops all applied for a Law Enforcement Job. The idea that when you scared you can shoot is going to seriously bite us when civilians start claiming it against police.
ReplyDeleteI've been in situations with 2-3 cops pointing weapons all yelling different directions at me. All while blinded by cruiser lights, sirens. You don't think I was scared. You dont think my life was in jeopardy from at least 2 of the cops I wasn't obeying. This was a speeding issue and a mouthy kid.
Most people just dont understand how much power truly lies in the hands of our Law Enforcement Officers. That power can do great things, but all to often it is used to abuse its purpose.