Three officers join Merced police force

Three new officers pledged to serve and protect Merced during a ceremony Friday at City Hall.

Robert Cowperthwaite, 23, of Merced; Tanner Greene, 24, of Merced; and Joshua Walton, 32, of Modesto took their oaths, administered by Chief Norm Andrade.

A few dozen family members and friends of the new patrol officers filled the chamber and applauded the three men. Greene is the son of Merced veteran police Officer Sean Greene.

The department saw a few retirements at the end of last year, so the three additions bring the total to 84 sworn officers, Andrade said. The city has seven open positions.

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

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 11 last year.

The department is working its way back up to its maximum of 91 officers, which is 20 fewer than the city’s all-time high count of 111 in 2007.

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 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 the Gang Violence Suppression Unit.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 4:49 PM with the headline "Three officers join Merced police force."