The Fort Wayne Police Department and two unions negotiated new contracts in a manner one City Council member called exemplary.

The one-year contracts with the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council and the Fort Wayne Patrolmen’s Benevolence Association Inc. give officers a 3% pay increase. Adam Henry, counsel for the Fort Wayne Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, said it took some creative negotiating after City Council approved a 1.5% pay increase for city employees.

Officers are allowed to bank hours each year. The negotiations increased the amount allowed from 240 to 400, which will save the city about $600,000 a year. Henry said that savings allowed for an additional 1.5% increase for 3% raises for officers.

The raise puts the police department’s annual base salary at $82,000.

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