Merced adds two new patrol officers

Merced gained two new patrol officers after a swearing-in ceremony Friday at City Hall.

Naomi Martinez, 22, of Merced and Josue Ruiz, 30, of Livingston took the oath of office from Chief Norm Andrade.

The department is still looking to fill a sergeant’s spot, as well as hire for a lieutenant and a captain position. Some members of the public have called for more officers in a city that has seen escalating homicides in recent years.

Merced saw five homicides in 2013, 15 in 2014 and is at nine for this year.

The department is working its way back up to its maximum of 91 officers. The city’s all-time high count for officers was 111 in 2007.

Patrol officers in Merced start at $57,730 annually plus benefits, according to the city’s salary schedule.

The Merced Police Officers’ Association has said the city struggles to attract and keep officers because other cities offer better pay.

In the spring, the city and the union agreed to a five-year contract that delivered a 2 percent raise on July 1, followed by raises of 2.25 percent, 2.5 percent and 2.75 percent in the next three years.

Under the new contract, the city also will pay a higher percentage of the officers’ health benefits. Other benefits included in the contract are additional pay for special assignments such as the Disruptive Area Response Team or Gang Violence Suppression Unit.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 4:20 PM with the headline "Merced adds two new patrol officers."