Santa Monica Mirror January 8, 2021

Page 1

S A N TA M O N I C A

REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY

smmirror.com

INSIDE

SANTA MONICA SPA OWNER PLEADS GUILTY TO HOARDING AND PRICE GOUGING N95 MASKS

PAGE 2

January 8 – January 14, 2021 Volume LXX, Issue 75

Santa Monica to Pay Police Officers Overtime for May 31 Unrest Claim settled between City of Santa Monica and police union By Sam Catanzaro

Santa Monica lawmakers recently approved a settlement to pay Santa Monica police officers overtime for work during the May 31 civil unrest and looting. On December 29, 2020, Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved a settlement to pay Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officers $85,000 in overtime wages for work related to the events of May 31. “The City does not admit the allegation, or any entitlement to overtime compensation, but to avoid the expense and burden of further litigation, we recommend settlement,” said Santa Monica City Attorney George Cardona at the meeting. On May 31, rioters, taking advantage of a peaceful protest against the police killing of George Floyd, looted hundreds of Santa Monica businesses. The SMPD was criticized for its response to the event, at one point firing tear gas and rubber bullets on a crowd of protestors while just blocks away looters tore through downtown Santa Monica. Former SMPD Chief Cynthia Renaud stepped-down months later due to her handling of the unrest. The recent settlement covers only lieutenants and captains represented by the union Santa Monica Police Officers’ Association (POA), who had filed a claim against Renaud and Interim City Manager Lane Dilg on August 25. The union sought

A member of the National Guard stands by in Santa Monica following a day and night of unrest in Santa Monica.

overtime compensation between May 31 and June 12, citing its contract with the city that provides overtime compensation for officers working special events. “On or about May 31, 2020, then Chief of Police Cynthia Renaud ordered all Lieutenants, Captains, and the Acting Deputy Chief to work during a special event related to protests that occurred between May 31, 2020 through June 12, 2020 resulting in work full 18 hour days during the period of protests,” reads the

claim. “Like a concert or marathon…a protest is a unique occurrence that constitutes a special event outside normal duties as management employees.” The settlement also modifies the city’s contract with the POA. Changes include: narrowing the definition of a special event, giving the police chief discretion to pay overtime during special events, limiting union members’ ability to grieve an SMPD Chief’s decision relating to overtime pay for special events.

Photo: Sam Catanzaro

Photo: Margaret Gazey (Facebook)

Santa Monica police form a barricade amid May 31 protests.

Sweet Home Santa Monica Dan & Charlee Nessel | 310.365.0195 | 310.755.8180 Dan@NesselHomes.com | Charlee@NesselHomes.com | NesselHomes.com Lic# 01349526 ©2018 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC.

Lic# 01309674

01349526

TAX

Open as an essential service for: • Taxes, consulting, help with all the new programs and problems, etc • Can work long distance, with email or the U.S. mail

Samuel Moses, CPA 100 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica • 310.395.9922


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.