PAY RAISE PROMISED FOR ‘SICK’ SELMA POLICE OFFICERS

SELMA, Ala. (AP) – Selma’s mayor is promising pay raises for police as officers continue a sick-out that began last week over complaints about salary and working conditions.

The Selma Times-Journal reports that Mayor George Evans told officers Monday they’ll get the pay hikes with all other city employees starting Oct. 1.

Evans says he hopes money for the raises will come from refinancing the city’s bonded debt.

Evans’ pledge came as some Selma police officers staged a sick-out for a fifth straight day. Members of the department have been calling in sick as a demonstration of their dissatisfaction with pay, equipment and other aspects of their job.

Some officers are calling comments about an upcoming raise an empty promise. Officer Michael Kiser tells local media that nothing has been resolved.