Kent Police officers get 4.5 percent pay hike under new contract

Kent Police officers are getting a 4.5 percent pay increase this year as part of a new three-year contract reached with the city of Kent.

The City Council approved the labor agreements Jan. 15 with the Kent Police Officers Association for 134 officers and sergeants as well as 10 assistant chiefs and commanders. The latter three positions are receiving pay hikes of 6 percent this year.

“Overall, the negotiations went very, very well,” said Marty Fisher, city Human Resources director, in a Tuesday email. “The city of Kent places a high priority on public safety and there was a strong spirit of mutual respect and collaboration from the first session we held back in August. Individual and mutual interests were presented and discussed thoroughly in each bargaining session and both sides listened actively and presented productive alternatives to get to agreement on the final contract.”

All positions will receive wage increases in 2020 and 2021 between 1 and 4.25 percent based on the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett Consumer Price Index. The contract runs from Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2021.

Officers still in the police academy will receive $68,520 a year in 2019. That base pay increases each year until officers in their fifth year will earn $89,208 annually, according to city documents. Assistant chiefs will receive $156,180 a year, commanders $132,348 and sergeants $107,136 a year.

It will cost the city about $1.9 million over the three years for the changes to the agreement from the 2017 to 2019 contract. Under the previous contract, officers and sergeants received a 3.6 percent wage increase the first year followed by jumps of 3 percent in each of the next two years.

“I’m pleased with the new contract because it is a practical demonstration of the respect we have for our police officers and the high value we place on the service and professionalism they provide every day to keep Kent safe,” Fisher said.

Under the new contract, officers will receive a boost in longevity pay to better help retain high performers in the department and to be more in line with comparable cities, according to city documents. Comparable jurisdictions used to help determine pay and benefits included Auburn, Bellevue, Everett, Federal Way, Kirkland, Renton and Vancouver, Wash.

“From the start, the goal set by Mayor (Dana) Ralph and the City Council was to ensure that the Kent Police Department was in the top third among our comparable cities in total compensation,” Fisher said.

Fisher said, however, because many of those cities either have signed recent agreements or are in the process of doing so, it’s difficult to tell, with certainty, where Kent currently ranks in annual salaries.

Ken Clay, president of the Kent Police Officers Association, could not be reached by the Kent Reporter for comment about the new contract.

Officers with the department for two years get an additional 2 percent hike per year. That increases to 4 percent after 10 years; 4.5 percent after 12 years; 6 percent after 15 years; 9 percent after 20 years; and 11 percent after 25 years.

Officers will get a 4 percent pay hike of base pay per month if they are assigned to: Special Investigations Unit, Special Operations Unit, detective, traffic, K-9, Valley SWAT, hostage negotiator, Neighborhood Response Team, recruitment officer, administrative sergeant, school resource officer, Civil Disturbance Unit and training unit staff.

The contract also includes higher pay for officers based on their education, with 2 percent increases from the previous contract. Those with an associate (AA) degree receive a 3 percent jump while those with a bachelor’s degree get a 5 percent hike.

City staff from the Human Resources Labor Division held collective bargaining sessions with the union between August and December. City staff gave two executive session updates about the negotiations to the council. Those sessions were closed to the public, which is allowed under state law.

“The city’s Labor Relations Team really appreciated the positive, professional, collaborative tone the negotiations took,” Fisher said. “Our thanks and great respect go to the Kent Police Officers Association for the important work they do so well on behalf of the city’s residents, business owners and customers.”

Kent Police annual salaries

Assistant chief: $156,180

Commanders: $132,348

Sergeants: $107,136

Officer (by fifth year): $89,208

Officer (in academy): $68,520

Note: Additional annual pay hikes based on experience, unit assignment and education