Downey

Despite the efforts of a state mediator, contract talks between the city and the Downey Police Officers Assn. remain at a standstill.

Both sides met with the mediator for five hours last week with no success. After the meeting, City Manager Don Davis sent letters to the association’s 99 members, prompting an angry response from association negotiator Mark Reid.

Reid said that both the city and police association had agreed to not talk to the news media or to association members during the mediation process. He called Davis’ letter “blatant bad-faith arrogance” that made a “mockery” of the mediation process.

The letter reiterated the city’s offer of a two-year contract featuring a 11% raise. The association, which has been without a contract since July 1, is seeking a 12% raise.

Davis was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

Lee Powell, the city’s administrative services director and a member of the city’s negotiating team, said that the city only agreed to not talk to the news media. He added that the letter was sent after the mediation process had failed and that it was “private” communication from the city manager.