Frustration over police negotiations impasse: San Bruno city officials say they are hopeful discussion can restart 

Despite the stalemate in negotiations, McIntyre emphasized that the city was ready to resume conversation with the police department. Most recently, the unit representing officers had proposed a 22.4% salary increase for sworn staff and between a 13.5% to 26.4% increase for civilian staff over three years, he said. 

“I encourage continued discussion with the police association. Our door always remains open, and I am hopeful we will find a way to reach a final agreement,” McIntyre said. 

Thomy Ledesma, San Bruno Police Association president, said it was frustrating to hear that the unit’s asks, which would amount to $640,000 more than the $3.1 million the city proposed, were not being met given the city had money to increase salaries for department heads. 

“The whole issue about the city saying ‘there is no money, where are we going to find it?’ is moot considering they’ve given all department heads a substantial financial raise,” he said. “I’ve been fooled one too many times in this process.” 

Ledesma did say it was possible that the police unit and the city could come back to the table in the near future. 

The City Council approved an adopted salary schedule for department head positions in a 4-1 vote at the meeting March 24. The current salary structure for the city manager is $345,280, which would be raised to a maximum cap of $386,854. It would also raise the fire and police chief salaries to $320,376 each from their current $300,263 and $280,624 salaries, respectively. 

The ongoing recruitment process for a San Bruno fire chief was dependent on the salary increases, which are designed to keep pay competitive and consistent, McIntyre said. But Mayor Rico Medina, the lone no vote, said he took issue with the timing. 

“This is an item that folks deserve. They deserve a contract, agreement or understanding,” he said. “I’m just challenged, personally, with the timing with it.” 

Salary increases for department heads came as the city works through contracts with a majority of its employees. San Bruno has finished negotiations with three of its five bargaining groups, including the fire unit, McIntyre said, remains in negotiations with its public safety midmanagement unit and has reached an impasse with the police unit.  

Many community members spoke up during the meeting to express their concerns that if a fair contract is not reached with police, San Bruno could continue to lose officers to other cities and see a reduction in nonessential services, like traffic enforcement, homeless encampment outreach, burglary response without suspect information and checks on homes while residents are vacationing.

“I don’t like doing this, because I want you to do your job, but I’m here because you’re failing miserably,” former San Bruno Councilmember Laura Davis told the current council. “If you cannot prioritize the safety of this community, I ask you not to seek reelection and allow for forward thinking leaders to step up.”