In a significant development for the Des Moines Police Department, sergeants, lieutenants, and captains represented by the Des Moines Police Gold Braid Organization (GBO) are set to receive a 4% salary increase this July, following the City Council’s recent approval of the agreement.
Why It’s Important: This raise comes at a crucial time as law enforcement agencies across the metro area have been facing challenges in recruiting new officers, making competitive compensation packages more vital than ever.
Agreement Details: The newly approved contract will benefit 76 GBO-affiliated employees and is slated to extend until the end of the fiscal year in June 2025. This adjustment in compensation will result in an additional expenditure of approximately $220,000 for salaries, alongside an estimated $81,000 towards enhanced benefits, including increased sick leave accrual for the affected employees.
Wider Context: The City of Des Moines maintains contracts with eight different union groups representing various city workers. Among these, the agreements pertaining to police and fire services are due to expire this June, while contracts with other groups are set to conclude in 2025 or 2026. Additionally, a forthcoming contract with the Des Moines Police Bargaining Unit (PBU), which represents a broader spectrum of police personnel, is expected to be presented to the City Council on March 4.
