HOUSTON — Houston police officers are poised to receive a 36.5% pay increase over the next five years as part of a new labor agreement announced by Mayor John Whitmire, the Houston Chronicle reported.
The deal, described by city leaders as “generational,” marks the largest compensation package for Houston police in recent memory and is expected to cost the city approximately $832 million over five years, including $67 million in the first year alone, according to the report.
The May 2 announcement came less than 24 hours after more than 1,000 city employees filed retirement paperwork, part of a voluntary retirement package intended to free up funding for new initiatives like the police contract. Officials estimate the retirements could save the city between $40 million and $50 million in the upcoming fiscal year.
Under the proposed contract:
- Officers will receive a 10% raise in July 2025
- Followed by 8% in 2026
- 6% in both 2027 and 2028
- 6.5% in 2029
In addition to base salary increases, the deal includes added pay for patrol and shift work. A first-year officer receiving shift and weekend differential pay is estimated to earn about $81,600 starting July 1.
The agreement also updates policies around discipline and overtime:
- Officers can reduce suspensions of three days or less to non-suspension discipline
- Officers suspended for five days or less can use up to 10 days of accrued time to offset the punishment
- Court appearance overtime minimums will increase from two hours to four
Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz called the deal “a herculean effort” that “will make the community safer and be poised for the next decade with a well-staffed department.”
