Selma Police Chief John Brock said 10 officers called in sick again Friday morning, continuing a stand off for higher pay.

“It’s the same 10,” Brock said. “They work two days and then … tomorrow [Saturday], another group is supposed to come in.”

Brock said he’s unsure if tomorrow’s group of officers will also call in sick. He said he hasn’t heard anything from the officers or their representatives on Friday.

“I hope one of their representatives will tell us something or let us know something, but right now I haven’t heard anything,” Brock said.

Brock said officers accrue a sick day for each month they work, so officers with a lot of experience could have dozens of sick days. Newer employees would likely have a lot less.

“Some of the officers probably have between 50 days, 100 days whatever,” Brock said. “Some probably two or three.”

Either way, officers must have a doctor’s excuse after their fifth sick day. Since the officers work two days and are off two days, that would be a 10-day window.

“For these two groups to go through their five days, it’s really a 10-day spread,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to last that long. I hope it doesn’t. There’s a city council meeting Monday. I hope it’ll all be resolved by then.”

Officers meet with Mayor George Evans and Selma City Council members in a closed meeting that lasted more than three hours Thursday afternoon. Officers said afterward there were no guarantees or conclusion.

Before the meeting, officer Michael Kiser read a prepared statement that addressed comments about the timing of the move, now 11 days ahead of the city’s municipal election.

“We the members of the Selma Police Department would like to say we love and care about the citizens of Selma. Our first priority is the safety of this community. Any statements or assertions this is only about the money and this is only about an election are absolutely false,” Kiser said.

Kiser said officers are concerned about the safety of the community, fair pay, a safe working environment, needed equipment upgrades, fair promotions and hiring, professionalism and the chain of command, among other issues.

“Everything that was discussed is things we need to maintain a quality of life and survive here in Selma just like all other citizens,” said officer Marqueis Neely.

Officers have repeatedly said they aren’t on strike but won’t say when they will report back to work.

Brock said other agencies have let him know they can help if needed. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department has offered its assistance and so has the Alabama Law Enforcement Association.

He said he’s not anticipating needing any extra patrol this weekend, but did ask both agencies to keep an eye out if they’re in the city limits.

“I’m not anticipating that at this point. We haven’t gotten to that stage yet,” Brock said.

Brock said a plan is in place to cover both Saturday and Sunday’s shifts. He’s hoping this can be resolved as quickly as possible so that the officers are back on duty.

“I think both sides learned something yesterday,” Brock said. “There’s got to be a compromise somewhere. You can’t just draw a line in the sand and stay with it. Everything is negotiable. Someone’s got to give and someone’s got to take.”

The starting hourly wage for Selma patrol officers is $12.90 per hour. Most make more than that due to incentives like being on night patrol or having advanced training, according to Brock.

The hourly wage of the highest paid patrol officer is $15.70 per hour, while the lowest makes the minimum of $12.90 per hour.

The last permanent pay increases for officers were in 2007. Since then, officers as well as all city employees have received one-time bonuses each year around Christmas. Full-time employees with three years of experience have been given $1,600 bonuses. Those with shorter tenures have been given less.