FORT WORTH, Texas — Many Fort Worth police officers will make about $10,000 more under a new labor contract negotiated by the police union and approved by the city council this week.
The deal is especially sweet for officers who have recently started policing. Police trainees will make $76,076 upon commission, up from $67,932.
The salary bump brings Fort Worth's police pay closer to the metroplex median and average. Cowtown officers had made about 12% less than their peers for about 3 years, assistant city manager William Johnson told the council.
"Everyone really put in the time and effort to be creative to come up with a solution that leaves us walking away with something for everyone," he said.
Generally, officers who have been with the department for less than 6 years will earn about 12% more. Those who are more experienced will earn about 10% more.
The contract also cuts the amount of time it takes police to earn the maximum possible salary and makes it easier for the department to hire older officers from other cities.
The new salary schedule takes effect in October. Fort Worth police will also get smaller pay raises in 2026, 2027, and 2028.
The raises cost about $47 million over the four-year contract. Fort Worth allocated $39.8 million from its general fund for the salary bump, with Crime Control and Prevention District sales tax revenue funding the remaining $7.3 million.
"It makes us more competitive," Cpl. Samuel Eldridge told WFAA. "It helps us not only recruit people, but retain our current officers."
Eldridge is among the Fort Worth police officers in charge of recruiting. His department has already started pitching the pay raise to potential hires.
Pay raises approved in previous labor contracts almost immediately benefited the department's recruiting and retention efforts, Eldridge said.
The department is currently hiring, including for new positions created in the labor contract.