BY JANE PRENDERGAST
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON -- The union representing officers of the Kenton County Police Department sued the county Monday, claiming it has violated state law by underpaying them for at least five years.
At issue is $2,500 paid to each officer every year in addition to their salary. The money comes from the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund, and most law-enforcement officers in the state get it as an incentive to complete the required 40 hours of training annually.
The money is supposed to be in addition to what officers are paid, not figured in to salaries.
The officers have gotten the money, County Attorney Garry Edmondson said.
But they argue the county used it as part of the salary package. Mr. Edmondson said the county did not.
FOP Lodge No. 44 and its leaders filed the suit Monday in Kenton Circuit Court. It names the county, fiscal court, Judge-executive Rodney "Biz" Cain and commissioners Steve Arlinghaus, Nyoka Johnston and Bernie Moorman. It seeks both compensatory and punitive damages, as well as interest on any money awarded.
It also asks that the suit be certified as a class action, meaning all current and former Kenton County police officers for the past five years would be covered by any settlement or award. That is the best way to handle the suit, lawyer Steve Wolnitzek wrote, because all the officers' claims will be similar and handling them separately would set up inconsistencies.
Mr. Edmondson was surprised the suit was filed. He said he thought both sides were going to talk about the issue first and try to resolve it. Because of the incorrect payment system, the suit said, each officer is out at least $2,500 a year.
