Columbus police sue city claiming unfair pay scale

COLUMBUS - One-quarter of the Columbus police force filed suit against the city, claiming the police pay scale is unfairly geared toward attracting new officers. <br> <br> The suit seeks two years&#39; back pay for 95 officers who claim they were punished by the scale. It does not seek a specific amount, leaving that up to a review of city records. <br> <br> ``All these officers are after is fair and equal treatment, and they&#39;re not getting that now,&#39;&#39; said attorney Harlan Miller, who filed the suit Friday in Muscogee County Superior Court. <br> <br> Columbus Mayor Bobby Peters said he does not know of any police officer making more than a colleague who has served the department longer. He said salary differences are also based on other factors, such as education. <br> <br> Officers said discussions with the mayor and the city council had proved fruitless. <br> <br> Peters said council members were upset when they learned about the lawsuit. <br> <br> ``The largest part of our budget goes to public safety, and we&#39;ve been adding in new things every year,&#39;&#39; Peters said. ``They&#39;re beginning to think the department is not appreciative of any of it.&#34;