The Metro Council plans to seek public comment on the proposal at a special meeting Monday at 5 p.m. inside City Hall.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As the Metro Council prepares to vote on a set of two Louisville Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) awards, Metro Council Chairman Markus Winkler (D-17th District) says the deal is a step in the right direction. He said it could change the momentum.
“I'm excited about the direction we're headed,” Winkler said. “I think it's very important to have executives who are not only well compensated and well cared for, but also held accountable if they do something wrong.”
To check your first contract, click here. If this is your second contract, click here.
The more than 120 pages between the two collective bargaining agreements cover a number of issues, from working conditions to benefits to police pay.
“One of the things that's really important is to raise the pay scale,” Winkler said.
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If both proposals pass the Metro Council, they would immediately increase the pay of all Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers and sergeants by 7 percent.
Further raises will take effect in July, bringing entry-level executives' salaries to $60,552 annually.
“We're competing not only with cities in the region, but also with cities here in Jefferson County,” Winkler said. “I think the proposals we have in front of us will go a long way toward addressing that problem.”
As of April 2, LMPD announced that the force was short 280 officers.
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“(They're) going to go to St. Matthews, Shively, Jeffersontown, other areas, other police departments,” Bishop Dennis Lyons said.
Lyons has been keeping tabs on the community for years and spoke about the FOP contract on his radio show on 104.7 WLOU.
“In the midst of a Department of Justice report, in the midst of all the civil rights violations that police have committed in our communities, we are calling it a 'pay up' for what you've done. 'I'm going to do it,'” he said.
Lyons sees the positive side of increasing police pay, but wonders how the community will react.
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Winkler said prioritizing pay, especially for experienced police officers, will help prioritize public safety.
“(2020) saw some of our most experienced police officers retire in pretty dramatic numbers,” Winkler said. “When experienced officers retire, you are left with an inexperienced force, which certainly creates opportunities for risk.”
The Metro Council plans to seek public comment on the proposal at a special meeting Monday at 5 p.m. inside City Hall.
If you are interested in speaking during the conference, you can register online here.
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