Easton Police approve 'competitive' contract with city

EASTON, Pa. — Easton Police have approved a new four-year contract with the city, with the expectation City Council will approve the measure, representatives said Wednesday.

Easton administrators and members of The Fraternal Order of Police Washington Lodge No. 17, which represents Easton Police Department, said the latest contract negotiation went smoothly, with unanimous support from the union.

City Council voted to approve the resolution to approve the contract Wednesday night.

City Administrator Luis Campos said the FOP's executive committee approved the contract between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

“I just want to go back and reiterate that this agreement really makes the department competitive in the marketplace, and that's exactly what we wanted to do," Campos said.

"In addition to not only give to our officers what they deserve, but also make us competitive so we can continue to hire more officers into the future."

Base salary increases covered in the contract are set at 4.5% in 2025 and 2026, 4.25% in 2027, and 4% in 2028, and will go into effect on Jan. 1 of each year.

Furthermore, the contract includes a $2,000 Competitive Professional Salary Adjustment for each officer, administered on Jan. 1 of 2025, 2026, and 2027.

As it stands with the 2025 rates, a probationary officer would earn $57,205.43; a first year officer would earn $70,638.43, and a sergeant would take in $101,574.34. By 2028, those rates would increase to $69,247.50, $84,467.46, and $119,516.99, respectively.

Longevity pay also saw increases in the new contract. Those with five to nine years experience will see one-time annual payments of $3,550, those with ten to 14 years will earn $5,300, 15 to 19 years will see $7,050, 20 to 24 will earn $8,800, and 25 or more years experience will take in $10,550.

FOP Washington Lodge President Tim Wagner at the afternoon presentation confirmed the contract with an Easton Police Department sergeant, detective and upcoming inspector.

Wagner said his team was happy with the end result.

“It's fair," he said. "It really does make us competitive to attract higher quality candidates to take over as we age out and retire. The negotiation process was very smooth.

“I want to thank Luis and his team for that, and we're very satisfied with the outcome of the contract, and we're happy that we can avoid the turmoil of arbitration, and the unnecessary costs associated with it.

"Other than that, it's pretty much all I have to say about it. It’s a good contract, and the members approved of it, so the process went smoothly, and we're glad it's behind us.”

Fits the city budget

Campos said the finalized contract fit the confines of the city’s budget, but also “does go beyond what we've seen in the past in terms of increases."

"But we feel it's well justified, given how the city is evolving, and also the state of law enforcement in the country,” Campos said.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. commended the police for their work cleaning up the city over the past decade and a half.

Panto said current development in the downtown area could bring in “almost a million dollars in property tax” that could generate further funding for the department as the city grows.

He said the goal to make the contract more competitive with other nearby departments was a key element of the document.

That included monetary increases, paid education and a plan that could see an officer retiring with full pension in 20 years.

Panto said he felt the administration needed to make the contract competitive for both new recruits and established officers.

Campos said several incentives were included to help retain officers.

“We want them to stay," he said. "It incentivizes them to stay a little bit longer as well — and that’s what’s called the [Deferred Retirement Option Plan] Program.

"There’s a lot to say with having an officer with 20 years experience stay on board, whether they move up in leadership or not.”

This is a developing report that will be updated.