LOUISVILLE, Ky. — During Louisville Metro Police graduation, inside Valley High School, Metro Academy Class 58 wasn't the only LMPD entity to be showcased.
"We are putting forward a contract that can and will make a difference and make our city safer," Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said. "These new contracts give you all a much needed and well deserved pay increases, with starting salaries expected to grow 22% or more over the next couple of years."
As the department welcomes 17 new officers, it's boasting about the benefits they'll receive under two proposed Louisville FOP contracts.
"This has been a long process but it's a very valuable contract," Ryan Nichols, River City FOP president, said.
The more than 120 pages between both collective bargaining agreements tackle a slew of issues: working conditions, job benefits, salaries, etc.
"We're now in a space where we need to be competitive in our wages, to ensure that we are attracting the best and brightest officers," LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said.
Under both proposals, all LMPD officers and sergeants would see a 7% boost in pay.
Another round of raises would take effect in July, bringing starting officer pay to just over $60,000 a year.
"Y'all got in at the right time!" Greenberg said, looking on at the class of recruits.
But for some of the newest LMPD officers, their motivation to join the force had little to do with salary.
"Salary had nothing to do with it. It's kind of just a calling that I had," Ofc. Sara Riley Christ said.
"The department has so many things they offer after three years on patrol, you can do other specialty units. I love that about LMPD," Ofc. Daniel Ovalle Garcia said.
As of April 2, LMPD reported the force is still short 280 officers.
"It's attracting folks that are already in law enforcement, and it's also getting people from around our city. people who want to be apart of the solution," Greenberg said.
With this set of contracts, city leaders hope to keep LMPD attractive to young potential recruits, as it competes for officers with surrounding police departments in Jefferson county, the state, and beyond.
"And to our honorees," Villaroel said. "Don't forget your why as to why you joined LMPD and why you wanted to be a police officer."
Now that both parties have agreed to terms, all that's left is for Metro Council to take a vote on both contracts.
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