NEW HAVEN, CT – Today, the members of the New Haven police union, Elm City Local, voted overwhelmingly to approve the proposed six-year collective bargaining agreement between the City of New Haven and the union, which represents all sworn officers of the New Haven Police Department. Among the members who voted, 96% approved the proposed contract.

The proposed collective bargaining agreement includes a 25% salary increase over six years to reward and retain current officers, a new $70,000 starting salary to help attract new recruits, and new schedules to support improved work-life balance for officers, among other provisions. Now that it has been approved by the union’s membership, Mayor Elicker will submit the proposed collective bargaining agreement to the Board of Alders within 15 days and the Board of Alders then has up to 30 days to vote to approve or reject the proposed contract. Additional details about the proposed contract can be found here.

Following the vote by the police union membership, Mayor Elicker released the following statement:

"Our police officers swear an oath to protect and serve our residents, and often put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe.

The new contract acknowledges their commitment, service, and sacrifice. It will help us retain our current officers, recruit new ones, and expand the ranks of the police department to help keep our residents safe.

It’s extremely gratifying that our police officers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposed contract, and that they believe it’s a fair contract that respects them and their service to our city. I want to thank Union President Florencio Cotto for working to arrive at this agreement, and I look forward to submitting it to the Board of Alders for their review and approval.”

Earlier today, Mayor Elicker sworn in four new police recruits, bringing the police department’s total ranks to 330 sworn personnel.