In an effort to retain and recruit police officers, the city of Wichita recently reopened the current Fraternal Order of Police contract. On Tuesday, the Wichita City Council approved bonuses and a pay raise.
All certified members of the FOP bargaining unit and supervisory non-represented Police positions will receive a one-time five-thousand-dollar bonus. Beginning next year, certain classifications within the department will receive a 13.27% salary increase.
Wichita FOP President David Inkelaar thanked the city and council for their work and said addressing the remainder of items from the Jensen Hughes report was important to the FOP.
In addition, the amended agreement for next year allows for changes in administrative investigations and grievance procedures.
The bonuses will cost the city an extra $3.4 million this year while the salary increases next year will cost an additional $6.5 million. The agreement also allows for 2.5 times overtime pay, and an increase in clothing allowance for Officers, Detectives, Sergeants and Crime Scene Investigators.