Prior to the Thursday afternoon news conference, Evansville Police Department (EPD) officers fill in behind Mayor Stephanie Terry’s podium to celebrate a shared victory — a smooth contract negotiation process, and the first for Terry’s administration.
The Evansville Police Department’s union, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and city officials have reached a three-year contract agreement for the coming budget year.
It is notable because it includes a 7-percent wage increase for the 261 sitting EPD officers. This increase, including benefits and pension changes, will cost the city an additional $2.549 million. Mayor Stephanie Terry says it’s worth the cost.
“It's a stretch for us, but it's the right thing to do for this time,” she said, adding that it’s an early promise she made in her tenure.
The starting pay for officers will increase from $63,337, to $67,770.
The largest raise EPD Chief Philip Smith can recall in his 11 years in the department was about 4-percent. The goal is to increase retention and make the position more attractive to applicants.
The third largest police department in the state, there are currently 261 officers, but they’d like to reach the limit of 289 officers.
Also notable about the contract is how easily it was adopted. Smith said all parties came to the table ready to cooperate.
“When you come to the table and say, 'look, we like everything that's going on, but can you help us, you know, afford a little bit more groceries?’ And the mayor says, ‘Hey, I'm all about that.’ I mean, it's not rocket science.”
The department includes several specialized areas and teams — such as dedicated detectives, full time SWAT Team and various units for hit-and-runs, sex crimes and others.
Smith said such a contract and make the department a “destination”
The FOP passed the contract with 99.4 percent of members agreeing, which is uncommon, according to FOP President Aaron McCormick.
“Historically, just to get a body of people to agree on a certain topic is difficult on its own,” he said. “And when you're talking about money and benefits and those sorts of things, again, to get everybody to agree on terms is difficult.”
The Evansville City Council will need to vote to finalize the contract at the next meeting.
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