by James Coulter
Current city employees training to be police officers can be reimbursed up to $5,700 for their tuition fees and other expenses if the City of Lake Wales approves an amendment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, Inc.
At their workshop on Wed. Sep. 11, Lake Wales city commissioners considered an amendment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, Inc.
The amendment would allow the city to reimburse city employees up to $5,700 in “admission examination, books and/or tuition fees,” along with other expenses that are “job-related” including “online classes.”
The amendment would increase the reimbursement by the city from $2,000 to $5,700 “per employee per fiscal year for degree curricula.” As the city agenda item memo states: “Any costs or fees paid from other sources shall not be reimbursable by the City.”
For an employee to be eligible for this reimbursement, they “must obtain 9 hours of college credits or advance management classes approved by the chief.”
The City of Lake Wales entered into the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, Inc. on Sep. 19, 2023. The agreement is in effect from Oct. 1, 2023 through Sep. 30, 2026.
The purpose of the agreement, according to the memo, is “to provide wages, hours, and other conditions of employment for the employees in the police department bargaining unit of which all are sworn officers in the classification of police officer, corporal or sergeant.”
According to its website, the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association “advocates the position of the law enforcement personnel” and “provides a benefits package designed to protect members and their families.” The Association consists of more than 36,000 members.
When inquired how many employees take advantage of the reimbursement, Sandra D. Davis, Human Resources Director, answered, “Not that many.” She mentioned that many police officers already come into the job with degrees.
The amendment will be considered for approval by the Lake Wales City Commission in their consent agenda for their next meeting on Tue., Sept. 17 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
