Raises for police auxiliary OK’d

Lorain Police Department Auxiliary officers will get a raise for paid work and more money for uniform expenses.

Lorain City Council approved the expenses for auxiliary officers through year 2023.

The Lorain Police Department Auxiliary formed 49 years ago to supplement and support the Police Department in a voluntary capacity, said Auxiliary Chief Jim Malick.

Along with volunteer details, their duties have grown to include staffing the security checkpoint at the entrance to Lorain City Hall.

That work is paid, Malick said.

He thanked the Council, city administration of Mayor Jack Bradley and police Chief James McCann for considering the pay raise.

The pay changes will cost $138,060 retroactively this year and for 2022 and 2023, according to the city legislation.

The current wage is $12 an hour and that will go up to $15 an hour this year, $16 an hour in 2022 and $18 an hour in 2023.

Auxiliary officers qualify for uniform allowances after working a year for the Police Department.

That policy is in place because sometimes people do not stay on for a full year, Malick said.

They receive $200 for working up to 299 hours and $400 for working more than 300 hours.

The uniforms can cost up to $1,000 for appropriate clothing and uniforms, Malick said.

The city does not reimburse that initial investment, but the uniform allowance is almost like a reimbursement for officers who stay with the program.

“Believe it or not, it works, it does, because the city is not out if somebody doesn’t follow through,” Malick said. “And we make it clear to them when they’re about to sign, that what we’re looking for is not paid employment here, it’s direct volunteer support of the Police Department.”

Lorain Auxiliary officers are uniformed and carry badges, but are unarmed.

Malick credited the Lorain Police Department because the auxiliary has not had a serious injury in 49 years.

The Lorain Auxiliary officers cover some lesser duties and allow Lorain police officers to return to service more quickly than if regular police officers were covering some of those jobs, he said.

The auxiliary work has attracted some younger people who use it as a stepping stone to enter police work, Malick said.

At the end of the month, three auxiliary officers were leaving for police academy programs, he said.

“I will say with all the credit, and rightfully so, that we give our police officers, I think for this group of auxiliary policemen and women that are volunteering their time, they are true heroes and we need to thank them every single day,” said Ward 6 Councilman Rey Carrion.

For all the Lorain Auxiliary officers do, it is a pretty minimal request, said Ward 4 Councilman Greg Argenti.

Councilwoman-at-Large Mary Springowski thanked Malick for his leadership of the auxiliary, prompting a round of applause from Council.

City Council President Joel Arredondo said Council members should consider joining the Friends of the Fraternal Order of Police groups that support the Lorain Police Department and police auxiliary.