Police union and city of Jacksonville reach tentative agreement to increase police salaries by 13%

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. — The city of Jacksonville and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) have reached a tentative three-year collective bargaining agreement, the city announced Tuesday. The agreement covers both police and correctional staff and includes a 13% pay increase for police and a 15% raise this year.

Police officers’ salaries would increase by 5% over the next two years and correctional officers’ salaries would increase by 8.5% and 7% in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

The parties intend to sign all final articles next week, after which there will be 15 days for membership review of the tentative agreement. FOP members will then have the opportunity to ratify the new agreement. Once ratified, the collective bargaining agreement will be presented to the Jacksonville City Council for final approval.

Both sides said they met the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s (JSO) urgent hiring needs by “significantly increasing starting salaries to be more competitive in the demanding law enforcement market. The ultimate goal is to enable the JSO to recruit the best and brightest future officers.”

There are currently almost 300 vacancies at JSO and the number is growing.

The starting salary for police officers will rise from $52,000 to over $65,000 annually. In the correctional service, it will rise from $48,000 to over $60,000 annually.

Beginning in 2027, retirement benefits for new police officers will be transferred to the Florida Retirement System (FRS). Also in 2027, current police officers in the defined contribution plan will have the option to stay there or transfer to the FRS.

If certain legal obstacles are overcome, the City has also offered the FOP Corrections Unit the opportunity to enter the FRS system in 2027. If the FOP and the City are unsuccessful, the current corrections defined contribution pension plan will be expanded.

“I am grateful that we have reached this historic agreement with the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect all of our citizens,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. “The agreement ensures that benefits match the dedication of our brave police officers and correctional officers, while supporting the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in its goal of attracting the best and brightest to the force.”

“I am pleased that a tentative agreement was reached today between the Fraternal Order of Police and the City of Jacksonville regarding contract negotiations for sworn members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff TK Waters. “This tentative agreement includes an increase in starting salary and significant wage increases for all sworn members. In addition, the City has committed to implementing a state pension plan for JSO officers in the future. I want to thank and commend everyone involved in the negotiations for their collective commitment to providing the men and women of the JSO with compensation that reflects the importance of their service to our community. Under Mayor Deegan’s leadership, the City has proven how highly it places value on first responders. With these favorable salary increases and future pension benefits, the JSO will now be competitive with peer jurisdictions. Our agency will be able to recruit the best and brightest not only from our City, but from across the state. JSO is grateful to Mayor Deegan and the City and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5-30 and President Randy Reaves for this courageous commitment that will help keep the citizens of Jacksonville safe now and for years to come.”