Sarasota finalizes agreement with police union

All Sarasota Police Department sworn personnel at the lieutenant rank and below, as well as crime scene investigators, have agreed via International Union of Police Association, Local 6045, AFL-CIO and the city to an amended compensation structure beginning in 2025.

The union and the city agreed on a three-year collective bargaining agreement for the term of Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2025 with wage terms initially at an 18% cost of living increase.

The second year of the contract included a 3.5% general wage increase along with realigning their steps (years of service) to provide for a 3% increase between each step. Negotiations on amending that agreement that began in April 2024 reached an impasse. Mediation in December resulted in a successful outcome, tentatively agreeing on the pay scale pending ratification of both parties. 

The memorandum of understanding includes a general wage increase of 5.25% for officers, 5% for sergeants, and 9% for crime scene investigators in addition to a $1,000 lump sum and increases on their anniversary dates. The union’s bargaining unit ratified the memorandum of understanding in early December 2024.

Per the newly amended CBA, newly hired officers begin at Step 1 at $71,760, up from $65,875; newly promoted sergeants $96,678, up from $88,960; and lieutenants $115,169, previously $107,000. Newly hired non-sworn crime scene investigators begin at $58,213, up from $51,600.

Under the new scale, officers top out in year 20 at $102,312, sergeants in year 10 at $115,537, lieutenants in year six at $133,513 and crime scene investigators in year 10 at $78,903.