SEA 396: Police and Firefighter First Class Officer Salaries 21 Articles
SEA 396 modifies the definition of a first-class patrolman or first-class firefighter salary (first-class officer salary). These FAQs answer common questions from 77 Fund employers regarding this topic. List of Indiana Code that governs the 1977 Fund First-Class Officer Certified Salary submission process as of July 1, 2021: IC 36-8-8-6.5 – Submission of Salary | IC 36-8-8-3 – Participation by Units and Longevity Increases | IC 36-8-1-11 – “Salary of a First-Class Patrolman or First-Class Firefighter,” Longevity Increases, and Certified Salary
- What is the difference between longevity pay of up to 20 years versus longevity pay of 20 to less than 25 years if done through the meet and confer process?
- How does 2021's SEA 396 affect retirement eligibility for 77 Fund members?
- Which certified salary do we use to calculate a member's monthly and DROP benefits if a they entered the DROP prior to May 14, 2021 and then the unit increased the certified salary after legislation changed for 2021?
- Which certified salary is used for a 77 Fund member’s retirement benefit—the certified salary from the year of hire or the one during the year the member ended active service?
- What is a longevity increase?
- Why are longevity increases included in the definition of a first-class officer's salary?
- What constitutes (who qualifies) as a “First-Class Patrolman or Firefighter?”
- Can we include clothing allowances in the certified salary figure for a first-class officer?
- Do we need to complete both the January of the current year and May 14, 2021, salary sections of the form for first-class officers?
- If the union settled their contract after May 14, 2021, what amount do we show on the May 14, 2021 section of the certified salary form for first-class officers?
- I recently updated the certified salary for first-class officers, why do I have to do this again?
- What does the highest non-promoted salary for first-class officers mean?
- What is the definition of a base salary for first-class officers?
- What changed regarding the salary of a first-class patrolman or firefighter as of July 1, 2021?
- Will the certified first-class officer salaries be applied to the current and following budget year, or only the following budget year?
- If a community has both police and fire but with different salary scales, should each be certified separately or can the higher of the two be certified for both?
- Can a community reduce its certified salary under the new law, even if they are not currently using an unoccupied position for their calculation?
- When will the First Class Officer (FCO) salary certification be required for communities that have to make a change?
- Under what circumstances will communities have to change the position they're using to certify First Class Officer (FCO) salaries compared to the past?
- If a community is using an unoccupied position as the basis for the certified salary calculation and certification, will anything need to change this year (or in later years)?
- If a community has members in a legacy fund as well as the 1977 fund, will multiple first-class officer salary certifications be necessary?