The Houston Police Officers Union is voting today on a new five-year contract proposal that includes almost a 37% salary increase. If approved, the contract would provide a 10% raise starting in July 2025. The starting salary for a Houston police officer would increase from $62,000 to $81,000 by next summer. The contract also includes extra pay for night and weekend shifts, and patrol pay for officers with at least two years of experience would rise from $600 to $1,600 annually, as reported by KHOU.
Mayor John Whitmire and Police Chief J. Noe Diaz described the new contract for the Houston Police Department as “transformative.” Mayor Whitmire stated, “This is going to improve public safety. In any job, morale matters, particularly when putting your life on the line. Morale is good in HPD, which will help it reach an all-time high,” according to the City of Houston. Some city leaders have raised concerns about the financial impact of the deal, given a nearly $300 million budget deficit. Mayor Whitmire plans to explain how the city will fund the police contract and other services on Tuesday. Chief Diaz referred to the contract as a “game-changer for recruitment,” as per KHOU…