Salinas City Council approves wage increases for police officers.

Salinas City Council approves salary increases for police officers on Dec. 9, before the current contract expires on Dec. 31. 

Negotiations started in August and the city reached agreements with the Salinas Police Officers Association (SPOA) and Police Managers Association (PMA) in November. “We are optimistic that this agreement will help with recruitment and retention,” Marina Horta-Gallegos, human resources director, told the council on Dec. 9.

The city currently has 144 filled positions out of the 157 budgeted for SPD, including police officers, sergeants and commanders. 

SPOA’s contract is for two years and runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2027, and it includes a 3-percent wage increase and a 2-percent market adjustment for the first year. For the second year, it includes a 2-percent salary increase and a 2-percent salary adjustment. 

PMA’s contract is for three years, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2028. Their salary will increase by 5 percent next year and by 3 percent in 2027 and 2028. There is also a 5-percent premium for drone operators and SWAT team members.

The extra pay for night shifts for both groups will increase from $23.45 to $25.00/hour for both police officers and managers. Managers’ time off increased from 120 to 160 hours. 

“These equity adjustments are aimed at bringing the police officers association closer to market,” Horta-Gallegos said, noting staff compares Salinas PD’s compensation against what Bay Area cities offer since Salinas is competing against them to attract police officers. 

Understaffed law enforcement departments have become a nationwide challenge. Still, Salinas officials cite additional contributing factors that include higher crime rates than nearby cities (it’s the largest city in the Central Coast) and say it competes with larger cities that offer better packages. 

In recent years, Salinas PD has implemented operational changes and has implemented ad campaigns and an incentive program to attract police officers.