Golden Valley Approves Labor Deal to Increase Police Salaries
Police in Golden Valley will start earning more money next year after the city and the union representing the officers reached a new labor agreement.
“There’s some criticism that the city management, and leadership in general up here, does not support the police department, and we say time and time again that we really do,” said Golden Valley Mayor Shep Harris during Tuesday’s city council meeting. “This is just yet another example of our support.”
Under the agreement, which the Golden Valley City Council approved Tuesday night, patrol officers will earn an hourly wage between $36.39 and $48.49 an hour, depending on experience.
Starting in 2024, all officers will receive a 3 percent raise.
The move comes as Golden Valley works to fill 14 open positions within the department.
“We are here to support our police department in any way possible, and I think this contract reflects that,” Mayor Harris added. “If anyone ever has questions about this contract or about our support, I’ll point you to this and our past number of years, more than a decade of increasing budgets for our police department, for their salaries, for their equipment, for their vehicles, and anything else I might be leaving out.”
Golden Valley Mayor Shep Harris spoke Tuesday night about the labor agreement between the city and Law Enforcement Labor Services Local #27.
In addition to the raise in salary, the contract offers several other financial incentives:
Multilingual pay: Employees with multilingual skills (i.e. speak English and at least one other language fluently) shall receive a $100 per month incentive.
Restorative practices training: Employees who complete restorative practices training will receive a one-time incentive of $500.
PEACE Commission: Employees who apply and are appointed to Golden Valley’s PEACE Commission will receive $50 per month and time attending PEACE Commission meetings will be considered as time worked. Employees are expected to serve at least one full year on the commission.
Last week, Golden Valley Police Chief Virgil Green laid out a plan to attract officers from other departments by offering a $10,000 hiring incentive.
Until those positions are filled, the city will partner with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office to help provide coverage.
An interview request to speak with the head of the police labor union was not immediately returned.
Related: Golden Valley Looks to Hire Police from Other Cities to Fill Staffing Needs
