Highland City Council approves new contract for police department officers, support staff

Highland’s police officers and support staff have a new three-year contract, after approval by the city council Tuesday, July 5.

Members of the Fraternal Order of Police Sergeants’ Union in Highland will receive a 3% increase that is backdated to May 1, after the April 30 expiration of the old contract. They will also receive 3% increases May 1, 2023, and May 1, 2024.

Members also will receive an additional $125 in their educational bonus pay. Beginning this year, employees with a bachelor’s degree will receive a $925 bonus annually and masters degrees receive $1,625.

This contract covers four sergeants in the Highland Police Department.

Among other changes in the contract:

• Employees with 20 or more years of service will be paid for 100% of unused sick time upon separation.
• Any officer designated as acting chief of police will be compensated $50 a day while serving.

For the officers’ union, wages will increase 3.5% backdated to May 1 and 2.5% for 2023 and 2024. Uniform allowances will increase from $500 to $700.

This contract covers 15 support staff members in the department.

For both unions, Martin Luther King Jr. Day has been added to the designated holiday list. Both unions have voted on and approved the new contracts, according to city staff.

The council discussed the contracts in closed session Tuesday, July 5, and voted 3-0 to approve the contracts.

In other news, the police department recently acquired a new K-9 officer. Hondo will begin his police dog training in August, partnered with Officer Brad Sutton.