Greensburg, city police reach new labor deal

New officers joining Greensburg’s police force no longer will undergo a two-tiered salary structure under terms of a new contract approved by council.

The contract between the city and the Fraternal Order of Police General Greene Lodge No. 56 removes the salary structure, which reduced the pay of officers hired after Jan. 1 by about $12,600 until they complete a probationary period. The structure was first implemented under a previous contract approved in 2016.

However, during Monday’s council meeting, Mayor Robert Bell said the system “made it difficult to attract new officers.”

Under the new contract, a single-tiered salary system is reinstated with the starting salary for new officers being about $53,000. A full patrolman rate will be reached in year seven.

“That was a big thing there, and we’re glad that had been tweaked a little bit to attract some new applicants. And we believe it will do that,” Capt. Shawn Denning said.

Officers will receive 2% annual pay increases under the new contract, which runs from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026.

The contract also includes language detailing that police officers will pay part of their health insurance premiums, which first was implemented under the contract approved in 2016. Under the new contract, the contribution toward the premium is based on the type of coverage chosen and will remain the same for the length of the contract.

“It was just a joy to work with them. … They gave a little bit, we gave a little bit,” Bell said of the contract negotiations.

Denning said, “The chief and I, we’re both happy a fair agreement has been reached. We look forward to the future of the police department. We’re happy everyone came to an agreement with minimal back and forth.”

In all, the contract covers 25 police officers.

According to Bell, contract negotiations began early this year in case any issues arose. However, officials were able to reach an agreement after only a handful of meetings.

City Administrator Kelsye Hantz said it is “telling” of the relationship between the city and the union that the contract was passed in August. In previous years, the two have gone back and forth on negotiations, with officials passing the contract just days before it went into effect.