14 Percent Raise Expected For Boston Police Officials

Boston's top police officials are expected to receive a hefty pay raise this year.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino is expected to approve a 14 percent pay raise for the city's police commanders.

Police officials say the move is necessary to make those positions more attractive, but Matthew Cahill, of the Boston Finance Commission, says the move could prompt even higher raises in the future.

"When there's a settlement on a raise issue within the city, that generally the unions start looking at that as a base for what they're going to start seeking," Cahill said.

Cahill estimates the raise will cost the city about $900,000.