Naples police union reaches salary deal with the city, increasing officer pay

The first step toward a new future for Naples Police Department officers, those officers have pushed for higher wages and better benefits for months, and now they could finally see a change.

The union is hopeful this is a step forward for the department. Although they didn’t get everything they wanted, they hope the salary increase is enough to recruit and retain for now. Naples City Council is calling the salary increase historic.

For officers, it’s about a 12% wage increase, taking minimum pay to more than $58,000. For supervisors, It’s an increase of about 14% the first year that brings a sergeant’s minimum starting salary to more than $80,000.

The city is investing more than $2 million in public safety over a three-year period. The new contracts include more holiday time, personal leave, overtime, education reimbursement, and other incentives.

Members of the Fraternal Order of Police say they feel this new contract is just the start to help put them on track and become the best police agency they can be.

“This sizable investment in public safety and service to our community is worthwhile. It’s needed. Our employees, our officers, deserve it. Especially based on the increase of cost in housing and other inflation factors in the city and we want to attract and retain the best, and it’s affordable in our budget,” said Naples City Council Member Ted Blankenship.

The new contracts are already in effect. The current officer job listing shows a salary of more than $58,000.