Mayor Cherelle Parker was joined by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and other city leaders as she announced a significant labor update connected to the Philadelphia police.

According to Parker, a panel of arbitrators has issued an interest arbitration award for the members of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5, for a new two-year contract that will increase members' pay by 3% in each year of the agreement. Meaning there will be a 3% increase in pay this fiscal year and another 3% in the next fiscal year.

Members of the bargaining unit will also receive a one-time cash payment of $3,000 within 30 days. Parker said the bonus payment is intended to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of Philadelphia's police officers. 

"Your city values you and the work that you do every day for our residents," Parker said. "Protecting them and their families from harm's way."  

The total cost of the award over the city's five-year plan is $343 million.

"We believe that this interest arbitration award reflects the gratitude, along with our duty and obligation, to the people of Philadelphia to govern with a sense of fiscal responsibility," Parker said. 

The new contract also focuses on officer wellness. Parker said that effective 60 days after the issuance of the award, officers will be given one wellness day per fiscal year, which must be requested at least 48 hours in advance.

The Philadelphia Police Department will also conduct a pilot program where members can use up to five days of their accrued sick leave per calendar year to take care of their children or a spouse/domestic partner.

Parker said the city will also make a lump sum payment of $5 million into the FOP Retiree Joint Trust Fund. 

Additionally, Parker said the city will begin to shift towards the trend of civilianization. The idea is a careful process where non-uniform staff and personnel will perform duties that don't necessarily require a uniformed police officer. Parker said some of the positions include working in the Court Notice Unit, supervising dispatchers, working at the juvenile assessment center, and working as drone pilots, as technology continues to advance in policing. 

The goal is to free up resources to have more police officers on the street and in neighborhoods protecting communities. 

The panel also increased the FOP's longevity scale to reward officers for their years of service and dedication. 

"Part of the work is retention, and how do we hold our men and women on this department and want them to stay. And also recruitment, my goal is to be the finest police department in America," Bethel said. "The way we attract the men and women across this nation, across this region, is to make sure they feel valued and they feel supported."

A full breakdown of the interest arbitration award can be found on the FOP Lodge #5 website.