Police contract OK'd by Havre City Council

A one-year labor relations contract between the city of Havre and its police and dispatchers’ unions was approved by City Council Monday night.

The deal calls for a 1.5 percent pay raise.

There are other relatively minor changes in the contract, Mayor Tim Solomon said.

For instance, four city-owned cell phones will be issued at the start of each shift. This will enable officers to communicate more privately with dispatch and others, he said.

Police Chief Gabe Matosich said there are usually four officers per shift, so each officer will be able to use a cellphone.

In the past, he said, some officers have used their personal phones, Matosich said.

Solomon said new contract talks with the unions will begin immediately.

The city and the unions have been at stalemate for 10 months. The contract approved unanimously Monday night expires July 1.

In other action at Monday’s meeting, City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Trent Crowe as a firefighter.

Fire Chief Tim Hedges said Crowe was hired as a probationary firefighter Oct. 28, and his six-month probationary appointment ended on April 28. “He has done everything we have asked him to do and more,” Hedges said.