London police reach 4-year deal with wage and benefits increases

The London Police Services Board (LPSB) and the union representing the police force have reached a new agreement that would give its sworn and civilian officers a 13 per cent wage hike and more mental health supports over the next four years.

The deal was made Monday evening and will be in effect from 2023 to 2026. It will also allow London police to fill gaps where they are lacking compared to other police forces across Ontario, said Paulo Domingues, president of the London Police Association (LPA).

"We were able to secure frontline officer incentives and specialty unit incentives, and we really were able to enhance some retireebenefits that go a long way to help our members who are struggling on the daily to deal with everything that is currently being asked of us," he said.

Frontline officers will get a three per cent salary increase over the next two years. Specialty units including forensics, tactical units,level-four reconstruction teams, criminal investigation division, and polygraph examiners will also get incentives,Dominguessaid.

"We have some highly skilled and trained specialty units who are all performing various specific duties that require intense training and we wanted to recognize them and so we were able to get some specialty pay for them," he said.

Salary raisesover each year will be the following:

• 2023 - 5 per cent
• 2024 - 3.5 per cent
• 2025 - 2.5 per cent
• 2026 - 2 per cent

Last month, London police Chief Thai Truongpresented a budget to LPSB asking for a $171 million increase from 2024 to 2027 that would add 189 new positions and enhance existing police technology.

Union head proud ofenhanced mental health benefits

The working agreement reflects the current realities and climate facing the London police andcommunity and achieves an outcome that delivers asubstantive and symbolic message, said LPSB chair Ali Chahbar in a news release.

"Our city, like countless other municipalities across the province, continues to observe and experience the challenges and real struggles associated with keeping police services properly staffed and resourced," he said.

The union is very happy with all the enhancements in the deal, but is especially proud of the mental wellness enhancements, saidDomingues.

"Police in particular are among the highest working people to suffer from post-traumatic stress injury at a much higher rate than anybody else. It's always a challengefor our members to deal with the daily struggles,and there's no rest for them. They come in and perform their duties the next day."

He said it's important to increase access to services in order to assist LPA members and their wellbeing.

"While we appreciate and respect the difficult and dangerous work members of the London Police Service experience every single day, words of support alone will not suffice. This board will take the requisite steps necessary to ensure the safety, security and well-being of both our city and service," said Chahbar.