Spending on safety and security will increase by about 50% to $53 million for the 2023 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Tahmir Banks, of the unit block of Beverly Avenue in East Lansdowne, was arrested and charged Friday with murder, gun violations, and related . SEPTA managers, cops earn double salaries with overtime as agency battles fiscal crisis. Reporters Ryan Briggs with WHYYs PlanPhilly and Michaela Winberg with WHYYs Billy Penn uncovered this troubling pattern, which stands in stark relief next to SEPTAs recent statement it. The pandemic has thrown SEPTA into a budget crisis. WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. https://t.co/8V9wGa9R57 pic.twitter.com/LUu12tif2w. Average daily ridership now hovers at about 53% of pre-COVID levels, or roughly 520,000 passengers. Recruits will attend an accredited municipal police officer's training course (PA Act 120) immediately upon hire. Yet nearly half of these 800 employees earned more than 50% of their base pay in overtime, and about 45 men earned as much or considerably more than their annual salary. He said his organization applauds SEPTAs recent efforts to engage social workers. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority pays $42,010 a year, on average, or $20.2 an hour. 90. The new salaries are expected to be in place by June 19. Police Officers salaries on the level of Police Departments throughout the Philadelphia region. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. And at the end of the fiscal year, he had earned $212,000 altogether. The transit force is armed, though there have been recent issues with the type of guns they carry. Legal Statement. The increase is within SEPTA's budget so riders should not expect fairs to go up. PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's the largest salary increase for SEPTA transit police officers in more than 20 years. $56,507 annually - Starting rate for six months at the Police Academy $62,379 annually - After academy to 12 months of service $71,011 annually - 13 to 24 months of service $74,588 annually - After 24 months of service Top Pay $82,722 Septa employees attributed a compensation and benefits rating of 4.1/5 stars to their company. The union has attempted to address its concerns with SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards and other officials, but hasn't gotten much attention from SEPTA's brass. SEPTA Transit Police officer wears a face mask in Center City Philadelphia, PA on May 8, 2020. Crime on transit decreased by 47% by the end of 1982, according to SEPTA. Has anyone else stood behind Thomas Nestel and thought, "Exactly HOW bleeping wide are those shoulders?" The SEPTA Transit Watch app, available for Mac IOS and Android, lets you report incidents in seconds. The estimated additional pay is $4,578 per year. Hourly pay at Septa ranges from an average of $18.44 to $41.41 an hour. This posting is for FUTURETransit Police Officer openings in our Transit Police Department. Aug 3, 2021 #SEPTA is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect wanted in an assault of a SEPTA employee. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. With 160 officers available at the time, 90 were assigned to the patrol division, which was then split into three shifts. These efforts have had mixed results, but SEPTA has struggled to recruit new armed officers. Nestel and SEPTA, in court filings, have argued theyre not liable for the supervisors behavior. "Thus far we have been unable to get Ms. Richards to even meet with us, despite our numerous requests spanning several months," Bervine said. The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) is the nation's fourth largest police department, with over The suspect was identified as Fiston M. Ngoy, 35, who had a preliminary arraignment last Thursday on charges of rape, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and more, according to court. SEPTA currently has about 210 employees on the transit police force, a number that includes those in leadership positions. So that means that this was a SEPTA police officer who was making more than the chief of SEPTA Police, Thomas Nestel and just a little bit less than the mayor, Jim Kenney. But some rank-and-file maintenance staff also saw claims that raised questions at the very least, about worker safety. Press Tab to Move to Skip to Content Link, SEPTA Transit Police Officer (0007) - 1234 Market, Recruitment Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Transit Police Officer. The FOP Lodge 109, the union for transit police, announced a vote of no confidence in Nestel in March of last year. The transit agency is adding information about trafficking on digital signage in addition to static signs being posted in bus depots. As of 2020, the starting salary for State Troopers is $69,542. Responsible for personal safety and is encouraged to promote the safety of others. Bervine did not respond to Billy Penns request for comment for this story. Officers with four or more years of service on the force will see a pay boost of around 11% under the new labor agreement, and those in the department under four years will reach a new "top rate". Its just something employees have to consider if they want to move up or stay in that overtime- eligible position, he said. The average Septa hourly pay ranges from approximately $17 per hour for a Customer Service Representative to $50 per hour for an Operations Manager. And if the financial management is questionable, who knows what they could pay out for people if they did a better job? That includes stepped-up investments in social-service workers and security guards. Reporters Ryan Briggs with WHYYs PlanPhilly and Michaela Winberg with WHYYs Billy Penn uncovered this troubling pattern, which stands in stark relief next to SEPTAs recent statement it cant afford to pay additional death benefits to families of workers who died of COVID-19. But the overtime money was not distributed equally, with fully half of all OT payments going to just 800 employees, or less than 10% of SEPTAs 9,200-strong workforce. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? The average salary for Septa employees is $79,863 per year. SEPTA has 210 police officers, including command and administrative staff, union president Omari Bervine said in an April interview with The Inquirer. SEPTA highlights signs of human trafficking in new campaign. And it draws into question the management financially of this entire agency. Amid staffing shortages, SEPTA has been bringing in outside contractors to help address safety concerns. How accurate is this most likely Total Pay range (base + additional) of $50K-$74K/yr? Download the SEPTA App from the Apple Store, Download the Transit Watch App from the Apple Store, Threatening Items Prohibited on SEPTA Property. Labor costs account for about 70% of SEPTAs $1.5 billion budget, and the agency shelled out nearly $59 million just in overtime payments for the fiscal year ending in June 30, 2020. Between January and mid-October, reports from SEPTA transit police of unarmed robberies and theft of mislaid property increased in comparison to the same period last year, from 63 to 141 and from 413 to 471, respectively. READ MORE: Reports of aggravated assault and robbery on SEPTA soared during the pandemic as ridership fell. Did you see that people were working 76 hours a week? Managed vacation time is pretty generous., Learn How to State Your Case and Earn Your Raise, Climb the Ladder With These Proven Promotion Tips, A Guide to Negotiating the Salary You Deserve, How to Prepare for Your Interview and Land the Job. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Shapiro breaks with Dems on COVID policies in Pa. gov race. Complies with all Authority and departmental safety and security policies and procedures as well as all applicable job safety responsibilities. "But it's common sense that having more officers present on SEPTA will make people think twice about committing crimes. Managers had incentives to drag out maintenance projects to run up hourly claims. RYAN: I think that when you you look at these stories, you look at SEPTA saying, We just dont have the money to pay out death benefits. You look where SEPTA is headed because of COVID-19 into an area where theyre saying we might have to make critical service cuts and potentially layoffs. On the connection between SEPTAs overtime spending and decision on death benefits. Thanks for your tweet and service to the city. Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh has lately pressured SEPTA to make the changes necessary to fill out its transit police force. It comes as lawmakers have already ended elements of the emergencies that kept millions of Americans insured during the pandemic. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Driving the news: SEPTA Police chief Thomas J. Nestel III signed off on the mandate for the transit agency's 213 sworn officers on Monday. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. Our customers can only realize transits affordability, equity, and sustainability benefits if they feel comfortable riding on SEPTA, which is why were committed to doing everything we can to keep our system safe, the authority said in a statement. It also raised questions about the agencys oversight process, he said. SEPTA Transit Police have full police powers in those areas, which spans 2,200 square miles. SEPTA Police Officers' salaries on the level of Police Departments throughout the Philadelphia region. In 2016, Nestel introduced body cameras to SEPTAs police force, to make good cops great cops and make the rest of them follow the rules., Love Philly? A 29-year-old man was stabbed in the arm at Suburban Station during a confrontation during the early morning hours on Saturday. No arrests have been made in either incident. You see that the people above you dont care.. Please enter valid email address to continue. . Theres more to every story if you take the time to tell it. SEPTA says the move will help it recruit and retain new officers. I'm the transportation reporter, covering how Philadelphians get around town (and beyond). That program got some unwanted attention last summer, when there were two reports within a few weeks of security guards assaulting individuals at transit stations. In addition to base salaries, there are additional compensation opportunities that come with the job. After graduation from the academy it's $19.20, then after three years of service it's $26 per hour. Subsequently, crime on the subway increased again. Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic, Visible Intermodal Protection Enforcement Response, which is meant to reduce violent crimes on transportation, Special Operations Response Team, which handles specialized situations like armed hijackings and chemical terrorism, the criminal investigations squad, which investigates anything nefarious on SEPTA property. Its how we live. On what the families of workers who died of COVID-19 asked of SEPTA. Changes in the transit police pay scale will go into effect as early as Sunday, the agency said. SEPTA officials said Adams knew the woman in the attack and that she reported the incident to authorities. CBS3's Jan Carabeo contributed to this report. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The harsh reality is that nobody wants to be a SEPTA police officer," Bervine said. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. Two other SEPTA cops, Officer Floyd Whitaker and Sgt. Several high-profile incidents rocked the system last year, including a rape on a train that was caught on camera, a brutal attack by teens on a student of Asian descent, and shootings near or inside several busy transit hubs. SEPTA Police Officers salaries on the level of Police Departments throughout the Philadelphia region. (Photo by Cory Clark/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images). The previous top rate was $66,480 after 48 months of service. In the complaint, filed last year, Jon Randolph, who is Black, alleged his supervisor created a hostile work environment based on Randolphs race and Muslim religion, and that the supervisor used his closeness with Nestel to discourage Randolph from making complaints. Podcast: Is Sixers' prime time game vs. The unions contract expires in 2023. Those seem like really obvious questions, Kriz said. SEPTAs Recruitment Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Transit Police Officer. PhillyVoice Staff, Driver charged in fatal Christmas Eve hit-and-run in Bristol, Video shows bouncer punch man outside Center City bar, prompting homicide investigation, City Council pushes for more funding to address quality-of-life issues in underserved communities, by an Allied Universal Security Services employee, two people were pushed onto the subway tracks, Jason Kelce could make a 'Saturday Night Live' cameo with his brother Travis hosting, School District of Philadelphia to relocate Building 21 students following asbestos exposure, Eagles wide receiver Zach Pascal robbed at gunpoint in Maryland, Eli Lilly slashed insulin prices, starting a race to the bottom. septa police salary 2020. nc building code wall framing septa police salary 2020. Overall Benefits Rating.css-11cfy92{color:#0caa41 !important;}.css-11cfy92{color:#0caa41 !important;}4. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Leave a comment. Under the agreement, SEPTA also will shorten the time it takes to reach the top pay rate for patrol officers, about $71,000, to 24 months from the current nine years. Overview Overview 285 Reviews 51 Jobs 286 Salaries 44 Interviews 50 Benefits 5 Photos. A police narrative of people watching a man rape a woman was 'not true', but it still ran wild in the press - similar to a 1964 murder that prompted the 'bystander effect' The extra working hours boosted all three mens salaries to around $165,000, putting them on the same pay rung as executives like Regional Rail director John Lauser or inspector general David Bannan. The first SEPTA Transit Police Department class started training in February 1981, and ended with 55 new officers. Michael Tanenbaum That incident happened around 7th and Market streets, police said. By continuing to use and navigate this website, you are agreeing to the use of cookies. In April 2021, it entered a $1.5 million agreement with Allied Universal Security Services. Reports any safety concerns, compromises or hazards affecting operations, the public, self and/or other employees. Market data provided byFactset. The authoritys budget allows for up to 260 officers. FOTP Lodge 109 leaders sought a meeting with SEPTA management to discuss pay earlier in the spring. Investigators had said Adams was known to frequent the area around 13th and Market streets. The union chief also said improvements to working conditions are needed for existing transit police officers. June 15, 2022 / 5:00 AM SEPTA is a state agency, but its ridership is overwhelmingly from Philly. Quintez Adams, 28, was wanted following the incident that happened Sunday afternoon between the Girard and Erie avenue stations. In 2015, the agency settled a class-action lawsuit for $13.1 million over claims the agency had forced employees to perform pre-shift work without compensation. If you're a big time suburban cartel member who uses SEPTA buses to come into the city to buy heroin, do not leave it behind in a newspaper and then come back to ask if anyone found it. Call SEPTA Transit Police at (215) 580-8111 or text (215) 234-1911. With more online . Septa pays its employees an average of $27.63 an hour. Be contacted by a dispatcher to obtain additional information. Each of the five counties SEPTA services can appoint two seats. Veteran transit officers also will see higher wages, officials said, but the rate of increase will be slower. Due to construction s/b buses detour on 11th St SE at 295 s/b ramp, resuming regular route on Howard Rd SE at Anacostia Station. Aggravated assaults and robberies in SEPTA stations, transit hubs, and vehicles rose more than 80% between 2019 and 2021, the agency said. Officers with four or more years of service on the force will see a pay boost of around 11% under the new labor agreement, and those in the department under four years will reach a new "top rate" of $74,588 after 25 months. pic.twitter.com/ZJWy9sZedj. Not too many places still have a pension plan. Transit police officers also often collaborate with other law enforcement departments, like joining the PPD on SWAT teams. In the late 60s, a special unit of the Philadelphia police was sent into transit duty, and there was some talk of creating a separate police force, but when safety issues abated, the idea fizzled. PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The union for SEPTA's transit police has sent a third letter to the agency's board chairman and general manager about the need to hire more officers. Title: Subway . The SEPTA Police Department offers an excellent benefits package, and a starting salary of $43,856 for Academy recruits. "If SEPTA needs more police officers, the reality is that more needs to be done to make this a job people want and that can compete with other agencies," Bervine said. The numbers are what the numbers are. Billy Joel & Stevie Nicks floor seat tickets, Regional rail stations were nearly empty in the wake of the coronavirus shutdown. That being said last year, SEPTA faced a federal investigation into alleged fraudulent spending involving roughly a dozen managers who were working with an outside vendor to embezzle money using SEPTAs credit cards. A sweeping pay increase in SEPTA's fight to improve safety as transit police officers brace for the largest salary boost in two decades. WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyones stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. He wrote a letter to the SEPTA board in November, after a woman was raped on the Market-Frankford line, breaking down how the staff shortage has affected the system. Under the agreement, both new recruits and officers already on the force will see a pay hike. Nestel is a fourth-generation police officer. Below is a list of the top-10 highest-paying states for police officers: California average police officer. Its a lack of integrity, accountability and trust, starting from the top.. The authority's private security contractors have not been as effective as hoped in improving the situation during the pandemic. So the unions specifically asked for a $500,000 death benefit for [Teds family] and all of the families who lost a SEPTA employee. SEPTA manager was arrested over an alleged overtime fraud scheme, that rocked New Yorks Metropolitan Transportation Authority, like one at the heart of an ongoing FBI probe, WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor, sensitive maintenance on SEPTAs Market-Frankford Line cars, declined to pay out additional death benefits to workers. During that time, assaults on transit employees were especially bad. SEPTA increases starting salaries for its police officers by 25%. The highest-paying job at Septa is a Project Manager with a salary of $111,809 per year. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? The starting salary for rookies entering the academy will be raised from $46,536 to $56,507, and post-graduation pay will go from $49,536 to $62,387. And I think thats a legitimate question for a lot of people to ask, especially looking at overtime spending that on its face just seems kind of absurd. Union leaders did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the plan. The estimated total pay for a Septa Police Officer at Septa is $60,798 per year. June 16, 2022 . Also on Sunday, at 15th Street Station, a man was robbed at gunpoint an incident Bervine said was "overshadowed" by the amount of crime SEPTA saw over the weekend. The job of a SEPTA transit police officer is about 90% on foot and moving through the transit system, compared to the work done by officers in other departments with more vehicle patrols, Bervine said. Matthew Sinkiewicz (DOB: 12/13/1983) of. Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions. Eltor Sumpter, also earned about as much or more than the top transit law enforcement official. The transit system in Philadelphia is nearing the end of one of its most violent months in recent memory, including an alleged rape on the Broad Street Line subway last weekend, a gunpoint robbery and a pair of stabbings, among other incidents. It is slightly less than the . Nice to see you. Related Searches:All Septa Police Officer Salaries|All Septa Salaries. Please give today. height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden">, SEPTA Human Resources, 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | (215) 580-7109 | (215) 580-7853 TDD/TTY. Read what they think about their salaries on our Compensation FAQ page for Septa. Fundraiser created to front the cost of SEPTA Key cards for asylum-seekers. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. A transit police officer waits for the Broad Street Line to stop at Erie station, so he can rouse a homeless person sleeping on the train in Philadelphia, PA, on April 1, 2020. But that didnt stop them from spending what experts say is an. Local news should be free and accessible, which is why we ask readers like you to support our work rather than charging a fee to see it. These units receive an additional level of training and provide specialized support in policing a public transit system. And they argued that thats evidence that SEPTA didnt provide enough to protect its workers and should pay more to the families who who lost loved ones. 2023 Flower Show Weekend Extra Regional Rail Train Service, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Name: Charles Cole. But former SEPTA employees, like Chris Coyne, werent so sure. SEPTA: Dire finances prevent agency from paying out COVID death benefits. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. Separately, a man was stabbed multiple times Sunday at SEPTA's 34th Street Station on Sunday afternoon, police said. Some riders question if this is the best way to do that. Ridership and revenue are both way down and the agency is considering service cuts. The job of a SEPTA transit officer can be dangerous, too. And now were seeing this sketchy [overtime] system where theyre paying out excessive amounts to a handful of employees. Phillys next mayor must be ready to lead on transit issues. How is it possible? Pay for Transit Police candidates in the police academy will jump 21% from $46,536 to $56,507, just under what Philadelphia Police Department recruits get. "SEPTA transit police will be in stations and on vehicles ensuring that those who are traveling have good reason to be on the system," a SEPTA official said on Tuesday. According to Busch, that amounts to working 12-hour shifts, six days a week, every week, for the entire fiscal year. If I were in their position, I would feel stupid not doing it. These plans have no employee annual premium contribution: SEPTA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. With increasing levels of violent crime and other chronic problems, such as drug use and homelessness, would-be SEPTA transit police recruits are more inclined to pursue what they consider potentially less demanding jobs elsewhere, with better pay. Compensation. SEPTA provides outstanding benefit and retirement programs: Medical Benefits Current HMO annual premium contribution = 1.5% of 40-hour hourly rate. We have everyday emergencies that come up, Busch said. The authority replaced them with Glock 17s, which arrived after a delay. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? Thats a payout that New Yorks MTA provided over the summer to all the families of employees who had died working for that transit agency. DESPITE INFLATION, US LABOR FORCE SEEING ENCOURAGING SIGNS: ECONOMIST. Average Salaries at SEPTA Installation & Maintenance Signal Maintainer $33.48 per hour Mechanic $27.59 per hour Maintenance Person $33.07 per hour Project Management Project Engineer $76,191 per year Project Manager $83,851 per year Program Manager $108,277 per year Driving Bus Driver $20.73 per hour Truck Driver $30.41 per hour Driver Assuming recruits meet these qualifications, they will receive academy training at a program certified by the Municipal Police Officer's Education and Training Commission alongside their municipal counterparts. SEPTA ridership has not yet recovered from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, which greatly reduced the number of workers relying on transit in favor of remote work. An entry-level SEPTA transit police officer will earn about $46,000 per year, a salary that increases to just more than $49,000 after graduation from the police academy. The fundraiser aims to raise $1,000 to help pay for SEPTA Key cards for asylum-seekers who recently arrived in Philadelphia from Texas. Philadelphia, PA 19107 He also underscored that this weeks arrest of frontline manager Ryan Kappler, who was dismissed in January, reflected SEPTAs commitment to rooting out overtime fraud. In 2019, an officers service weapon fired while holstered a flaw that had previously been seen with the Sig Sauer P320 handguns most carry. Spokesperson Andrew Busch chalked both police and maintenance spending up to the nature of public transit, where crime or infrastructure problems could strike at any time and staff needed to be ready to work long shifts. President Biden to end COVID-19 emergencies on May 11. According to the data, here are the city's top five highest paid employees: Sam Gulino - Medical Examiner - $260,730 Richard Ross - Police Commissioner - $240,000 Albert Chu - Deputy Medical. GOOD LUCK! An agreement was reached after several weeks of negotiations. There are three patrol districts, allowing officers to easily respond to emergencies while empowering them to quickly make decisions and address local issues. The SEPTA police are commissioned by the Pennsylvania governor, and when its fully staffed its the fifth largest police department in the state, according to the agency. Average SEPTA Police Officer yearly pay in Philadelphia is approximately $50,000, which is 8% below the national average. Jobs at SEPTA COVID-19 Vaccination Policy SEPTA currently requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination at their pre-employment medical appointment Search by Specialty Transportation Transportation Skilled Trades Skilled Trades Professional Professional Entry Level Entry Level Support Support View All Jobs It is almost half the previous pay scale's rate of Ksh 36,000. Transit Police did. At SEPTA, transit police officers earn more than the police chief they report to. Upon completion of this training, they will attend in-service training and orientation. A Philadelphia-area transit police department is set to implement the largest pay increase the force has seen in more than two decades in an effort to attract and maintain talent amid an officer shortage. He added that police-recruiting difficulty has also strained the forces manpower, resulting in more overtime claims. First published on June 15, 2022 / 5:00 AM. On the construction and maintenance side, it could be responding to signal issues that come up, or emergency track work that needs to be performed.. SEPTAs transit system is in Philadelphia and four Pennsylvania counties Delaware, Montgomery, Bucks and Chester. January 13, 2021 / 10:06 AM / CBS Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Seven members of the SEPTA Police are under investigation after they attended last week's pro-Trump rally in Washington,. Investigates illegal or suspicious activities. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority pays those in the bottom 10 percent $24,000 a year, and the top 10 percent over $72,000. / CBS Philadelphia. One involved a man punching a SEPTA maintenance worker and the other is wanted for stabbing a teen after a fight on a train spilled onto the platform. SEPTA is mandating transit officers work two hours of overtime per shift during the holidays. Our weekly newsletter delivers original reporting on the people, places and things that make Philly. But workers like Berardi handle sensitive maintenance on SEPTAs Market-Frankford Line cars. Transit police at the 69th Street bus depot in March 2021, What we know about the El train that derailed overnight in Old City, Pay for your SEPTA ride with a tap of your phone, and take your friends along, Amtrak promises 30th Streets iconic flipboard will return, but (still) only as decoration, 4 ways to have more fun getting around Philly, Phillys hot podcast studio: How two longtime producers are growing the citys audio scene, Meet the 10 entrepreneurs vying set up shop inside Philly rec centers, Tax cuts, a new forensic lab, library service, hotspot help: Takeaways from Mayor Kenneys final city budget proposal, A real art project at Quinta Brunsons former school in West Philly mirrors the Abbott Elementary Mural Arts episode. #SEPTAnews @SEPTAPHILLY @SEPTA_SOCIAL 1:58 1.7K views Thomas J. Nestel III Retweeted These non-union supervisors are empowered to collect overtime much like rank-and-file workers, guided by agreements hashed out by SEPTA unions. "In just the past five years, we have lost over 100 officers to resignations, almost all of whom have left to take police officer positions with departments offering higher salaries, better benefits and better working conditions," said Omari Bervine, president and CEO of the Fraternal Order of Transit Police Lodge 109.