Fort Myers police chief’s new contract, salary bump approved

UPDATE: Fort Myers City Council approved contract conditions for the chief of Fort Myers Police Department in a 4-3 vote.

The city manager and Police Chief Derrick Diggs have agreed to the conditions set in a new employment agreement through Aug. 15, 2021.

In 2016, Diggs was given a base salary of $140,000 a year. This new contract extends for another two years and gives him a base annual salary of $182,105.09 with the potential for an annual increase.

When former Fort Myers Police Chief Doug baker was fired in August 2015, he was making about $136,000 a year.

Chief Diggs will receive:

Insurance: The City will continue to provide health insurance (single coverage) at 100% cost to the City, and shall offer the Cafeteria Plan of $2,400 per year for the purchase of additional benefits.

Vacation: 199.94 hours of vacation time, accrued at the rate of 7.69 hours per biweekly pay period, which amount equal 5.0 weeks per year Sick Time: 95.94 hours of sick time, accrued at the rate of 3.69 hours per biweekly pay period.

Holiday Pay: All holiday time that all other City employees receive.

Retirement: The Police Chief will continue to participate in the Police Officers’ Retirement System (employee contributes 10% of salary and the City pays based on actuarial valuation); and in addition to this retirement plan, the City will provide a deferred compensation benefit equal to 10% of his base salary in a Deferred Compensation Plan offered by the City.

City Health & Wellness: The City will provide Chief Diggs with the amount of $500 per year to help defray the cost of health, wellness and fitness fees.

The use of a motor vehicle for business.

A cellular phone will be provided for business and reasonable personal use.

Uniforms will be provided to Chief Diggs.

Professional Dues and subscriptions for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Florida Police Chiefs Association, Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).

Reasonable and Customary travel and subsistence expenses for professional and official travel to meetings and to adequately attend to necessitate his official functions.

You can read the full contract here.