City and police reach a tentative agreement on new contract

City Manger T.C. Broadnax announced Monday that a tentative agreement for a five-year police contract has been reached. The agreement, which will have to be approved by City Council and ratified by the Austin Police Association to go into effect, would mean a 28 percent pay increase for officers over five years at a cost of $217.8 million. The agreement also includes a process for anonymous complaints to the Office of Police Oversight and, according to a press release from the city, “acknowledges other key aspects of the Austin Police Oversight Act including the elimination of confidential police personnel files and the implementation of the Community Police Review Commission.” (APD’s secret “G files” were deemed illegal by a court ruling last month.) “It’s a new day for our officers with the Austin Police Department as I am hopeful our Austin Police Association members will understand the City’s support of them, particularly as it relates to pay and benefits,” Mayor Kirk Watson said in a statement to the press. “I’ve stood firm in saying that a long-term contract is in the best interest of our community, as well as for our officers, to ensure we can fill vacancies as well as retain officers. This agreement achieves those goals and more – it also represents a new day for police oversight. The measures agreed to in this contract are a first for the State of Texas, if not the nation. I am pleased to see the outcome of the work that the APA and our City’s negotiation team have achieved through what I believe is a historic agreement.” The agreement will be available for public review on Thursday and, according to the press release, likely be considered by Council on Oct. 10.