Wilton Manors Police Department Throws in the Towel and Calls the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for "Temporary Assistance" Until the Wilton Manors City Manager and City Commission Can Get Their Act Together.
Wilton Manors, FL. In an alarming turn of events, the city of Wilton Manors, Florida, is on the brink of contracting the Fort Lauderdale Police Department due to a severe shortage of police officers in the Wilton Manors Police Department (WMPD). The community is in an uproar over the city's handling of the situation, particularly the mishandling of negotiations with the Police Benevolent Association (PBA).
Residents and local business owners are expressing outrage and disbelief, citing concerns about the potential erosion of community policing and the lack of transparency in the decision-making process. The situation has been exacerbated by the city's handling of negotiations with the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), representing WMPD officers.
The Crisis at WMPD Wilton Manor's budget for 32 sworn officers on the police force. However, up to a third of those positions could be open by early summer. Chief Gary Blocker brought the crisis to the attention of the city commission and residents at the start of the City Commission meeting in April. "We currently have seven police officer vacancies and two more coming in the coming weeks and months," Blocker said. An additional eight officers could retire at any time.
The PBA Negotiations Debacle The city has been in perpetual negotiation with the PBA. In the autumn of 2022, the city reopened a previous contract to give a raise for the last year of that deal. The ink was barely dry on that agreement before it was time for the city and union to start work on a new three-year contract. That deal wasn't finished until December 2023. Now, the work resumes well before anyone anticipated it. Three contract negotiations in such a truncated time frame indicate the issue has never really been resolved.
"The city's refusal to offer competitive pay and reasonable working conditions has driven our officers away," said a PBA representative who wished to remain anonymous. We've been sounding the alarm for years, but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears." One offer said, "They give us pats on the back and certificates of thanks, but those don't pay our rent or feed our families." "We love the city and the people; we just can't afford to work here,"
Community Outrage The community is enraged at the city's handling of the situation. The officers have already lost faith in the city and the powers that be. From the officers' perspective, being "made whole" entails retention bonuses and major changes to the pay schedule. The current contract includes a "step" program, with bonuses starting at ten years. Some inside the PBA believe the city likes the 10-year plan because rapid retention means they rarely pay bonuses.
This is in addition to a recent Broward OIG report of Gross Mismanagement of City Funds, the newly hired Finance Director's resignation, a two-million-dollar budget shortfall, and infrastructure issues, all while the Commissioners and City Manager gave themselves huge raises.
The Upcoming Announcement During this crisis, Chief Blocker will announce a "partnership" at this Tuesday's Commission meeting. The details of this partnership are yet to be revealed, but it is speculated that it involves contracting the Fort Lauderdale Police Department to address the officer shortage.
Community leaders and residents call for greater clarity and a more inclusive decision-making process as the city moves forward with this controversial plan. The announcement is expected to be met with fierce debate at Tuesday's Commission meeting. Many in the community fear losing the city's curated department to one currently embroiled in a Federal civil rights lawsuit.
The situation in Wilton Manors reminds us of the importance of fair negotiations and adequate staffing in maintaining a functional and practical police department. As the city grapples with this crisis, the community will watch closely to see how it responds.
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