On a day that saw the Houston Police Department graduate its latest cadet class, adding 61 new members to the force, the City of Houston and the Houston Police Officers’ Union unveiled a new labor contract Wednesday that includes officer raises totaling 10.5% over three years.
Union members have already ratified the deal, however City Council must still okay it. Mayor Sylvester Turner said about 70% of union members voted in favor of the pact.
Houston Police cadet graduationPhoto: HPD
Officers will receive annual raises of 4%, 3%, then 3.5% over the period. Under the contract, the base salary for an officer with one year on the force would go from $56,440 to $58,697 in July. By July 2024, it will go to $62,574. The base compensation does not include incentive pay or earnings from additional hours. Rookies will continue to make $42,000.
The deal also includes an adjustment to the "180-day rule," which requires that officers who commit certain crimes be disciplined within 180 days of the date the crime was committed. The rule was revised to require discipline within 180 days of the crime's discovery, even if long past the date when the act took place. In addition, the rule now also applies to allegations of untruthfulness, serious misconduct, criminal wrongdoing, or moral turpitude. The changes were sought by police reform advocates.
The union says negotiations took more than four months.