The Buena Park Police Association again did very well for its members this contract.  The negotiating team, consisting of Dirk O'Dette, Frank Nunes and Holly Molnar devoted a great deal of time and energy into contract negotiations.  The research and data obtained for negotiations proved pivotal in pushing the City into the resulting deal.  One issue that stalled resolution to the contract was the City's insistence that the City's Civil Service Board (who hears disciplinary matters) decisions be changed from binding to advisory to the City Council.  The City had just recently lost a highly publicized police officer termination case where the officer was reinstated by the Civil Service Board.  Rather than be a gracious loser, the City instead wanted to permanently change the rules of the game to ensure that it would not lose in the future and allow the City Council to make the ultimate determination on disciplinary appeals.  The Police Association held its ground in this matter and refused to agree to any permanent change in the process.  The City ultimately recognized the Police Association would not surrender its members' rights and finally agreed to the economic package that was already tentatively agreed to. 

The deal calls for a 5% raise in year one and 7.5% raise in the second and final year of the contract.  The Police Association in Buena Park also represents the civilian employees of the Police Department and was able to increase the retirement benefit for civilians to the 2.5% at age 55 plan. Medical coverage was increased from $825.47 to $1,090.07 for year one of the contract and topping out at $1,190.07 in year two of the contract for family coverage.  Finally, the  Association was able to modify language in the MOU to move from a 4-10 to a 3-12 work schedule.