Rank-and-file Montclair police officers will receive retroactive raises dating to January 2025, larger stipends and a new paid Juneteenth holiday under a five-year labor contract approved by the Township Council.
The mediated award recommended by state interest arbitrator Brian W. Kronick and ratified by the council last month stipulates pay increases of 3% for 2025, 3.25% in 2026, 3% in 2027, 2.75% in 2028 and 2.75% in 2029. The town and PBA Local 53 brokered the deal through interest arbitration, the state process used to settle police and firefighter contract disputes when negotiations reach an impasse.
Under the agreement, newly hired officers will start at $57,122, following graduation from the academy. Base pay rises to $77,876 by the fifth year and reaches $126,846 at the ninth-year top step. Those figures do not include overtime or specialty stipends.
Contract OK’d
On July 14, the council approved the police contract unanimously, the same meeting during which it saw eight new police officers sworn into full status and three department veterans take the oath following their promotions to higher rank…