Culver City officers enjoy one of the highest compensation packages in Southern California based on a salary initiative ordinance that requires their salary to be increased automatically upon salary adjustments for the Los Angeles Police Department or the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.  After tense negotiations and disputes over the City's economic position, an MOU through June of 2009 was agreed upon.  The MOU calls for salary increases of 13%, a 1% increase in POST Certificate pay to 9.5% for an Intermediate Certificate, 12.5% for an Advanced Certificate, and 15.5% for a Supervisory Certificate (not previously paid).  Of significant note was the record high signing bonus obtained for all unit members in the amount of $5,000 upon ratification of the MOU.  Negotiations became heated over the City's demand that current retirees begin paying 5% of their medical insurance premiums.  To make it even more difficult for the POA, the Firefighters Association agreed to this proposal leaving the POA alone to fight the battle.  Fortunately, the POA, led by its President, Jim Raetz, maintained its ground to protect its retirees from any cuts in their retiree medical coverage.