The Simi Valley Acorn learned this week that the Simi Valley Police Officer’s Association is considering hiring a public relations firm, a sign that contract negotiations with the city might not be going well.

The POA represents all 110 of Simi’s sworn officers below the rank of lieutenant.

“It could be something we are looking at, but we have not gone forward with it at this time,” said Detective Bill Daniels, the police union president.

When asked if the POA had hired a public relations firm, Daniels replied, “I can’t confirm that at this time.”

The city and the union have remained behind closed doors for several months discussing the union’s next contract. The previous contract, signed in 2005, expired June 30. It was a four-year agreement that guaranteed annual incremental increases in compensation each year according to a formula that surveys the pay and benefits of 12 law enforcement agencies of comparable size. The raise is calculated by taking an agency average and adding 4 percent.

As the final year of the contract got underway, city officials and the chief of police noted that due to the poor economy there would not be similar raises in the near future and that this year’s contract negotiations would be more difficult than in the past.

In a June effort to help balance the general fund budget for fiscal year 2009-10, two city employee groups—the local chapter of the Service Employees International Union and a separate management group—agreed to take a 2 percent reduction in compensation.

Management-level officers, including lieutenants, captains and the chief, have already taken their pay cut.

A source close to the negotiations told the Acorn in July that the two sides remained far apart.

City Councilmember Glen Becerra said he hoped the police union would not resort to hiring a public relations firm and that the two sides would continue to negotiate in good faith.

“For me, this council very much believes and supports our police department and it would be my hope that all of us could work together like we have over the last, as least for me, 11 years for the betterment of the community,” Becerra said, “and not have to get involved in public relations campaigns but rather focus on what’s best for Simi Valley.”

City Manager Mike Sedell said the union has never used a public relations firm before. The cost would be paid by union dues, not taxpayer dollars.

“There is a very difficult negotiations process going on currently between the city and the POA and we certainly understand their desire to put their best spin on it,” Sedell said. “The officers of this city are highly respected by the City Council and the city management for the job that they do, and the negotiations that are going on are in no way reflective of the job that they do. It’s really reflective of the economy and the ability to afford the high level of benefits of public employees in today’s environment.”

Chief of Police Mike Lewis, who is not a member of the police union, said he doesn’t view the move negatively and that he trusts the union will do what it thinks is best for its officers.

“I guess my main thought would be, if it does have to do with negotiations, negotiations are best held at the table between the different bargaining units: the members of the POA (Police Officers Association) and their attorney and the city’s people,” Lewis said.