JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The City of Jacksonville and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) have reached a three-year tentative collective bargaining agreement, the city announced on Tuesday. The agreement covers both Police and Corrections Units and includes a 13% raise for police and a 15% increase this year.
Police pay would increase 5% over the next two years and corrections officer pay would increase 8.5% and 7%, respectively, in 2025 and 2026.
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The parties expect to sign all final articles next week, followed by 15 days for tentative agreement membership review. The FOP membership will then have the opportunity to ratify the new agreement. Upon ratification, the collective bargaining agreement will proceed to the Jacksonville City Council for final approval.
The two sides said they have addressed the critical hiring needs of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) by “raising starting salaries significantly to better compete in the challenging law enforcement market with the ultimate goal of enabling JSO to hire the best and brightest future officers.”
Currently, JSO has almost 300 total vacancies and the number is rising.
Starting wages for police are rising from $52,000 annually to more than $65,000. Corrections is moving from $48,000 to more than $60,000 annually.
Retirement benefits for new police enrollees will move to the Florida Retirement System (FRS) beginning in 2027. Also in 2027, current police enrollees of the defined contribution plan will have the option to remain there or move to the FRS.
If certain legal obstacles are overcome, the City has also offered the FOP Corrections Unit to enter FRS in 2027. If the FOP and the City are unsuccessful, the current Defined Contribution plan for Corrections will be enhanced.
“I’m grateful we reached this historic agreement with the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep all our citizens safe,” Mayor Donna Deegan said. “The agreement ensures that benefits match the commitment of our brave police and corrections officers, while supporting the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in its goal to attract the best and brightest to the force.”
“I am pleased that a tentative agreement has been reached today between the Fraternal Order of Police and the City of Jacksonville pertaining to contract negotiations for sworn members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff T.K. Waters said. “This tentative agreement includes raising starting salaries and major wage increases for all sworn members. Additionally, the City has committed to bringing a state pension plan into the fold in the future for JSO officers. I want to thank and commend all those involved in the negotiations for their shared commitment to provide the men and women of JSO with compensation that reflects the significance of their service to our community. Under Mayor Deegan’s leadership, the City has evidenced the high value it places on first responders. With these favorable salary increases and future pension benefits, JSO will now be competitive with comparable jurisdictions. Our agency will be able to recruit the best and the brightest, not only from our city, but also from across the State. JSO is grateful to Mayor Deegan and the City and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5-30 and President Randy Reaves, for this bold commitment, one that will promote the safety and security of Jacksonville citizens now and for years to come.”
