WILDWOOD FINALIZES NEW POLICE CONTRACT

Wildwood city officials gave the nod approving two four-year contracts with police officers that gives a zero percent increase during the first year and 1.5 percent salary increase for each of the following three years. The contract also calls for a change of work schedules that will put an increased police presence on city streets in 12-hour shifts. The largest change realized by the new contracts is the length of work day.  Officers currently patrol city streets in three, eight-hour shifts. Ratification of the contracts calls for officers to be on patrol in two, 12-hour shifts. In order to attract new, better qualified officers, the newly-approved contract calls for a slight increase in starting salary. According the Commissioner, newly hired officers will start at an annual salary of $29,000 per year .