SFPD Union Ratifies New Contract Agreement

Members of the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA) have voted “overwhelmingly” to approve a tentative agreement with the City and County of San Francisco, the union announced on Wednesday. The agreement centers around a significant compensation package for rank-and-file officers.

Key Provisions of the Agreement

The approved contract includes a 14% salary increase, which will be distributed over the next four years. In addition to the base salary increase, officers with at least eight years of service will receive a 3% retention bonus. Currently, SFPD recruits earn an annual salary of $119,262, starting from their first day at the police academy.

Approval Process and Budgetary Concerns

Before the agreement takes effect, it requires approval from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the signature of Mayor Daniel Lurie. Negotiations for the pay raise initially began in January. The city is currently facing a projected $877 million two-year budget deficit, raising concerns about funding the raises while maintaining other essential city programs.

Firefighters’ Contract and City Finances

The SFPOA’s agreement follows a similar deal recently reached with the San Francisco firefighters union. Firefighters also secured a 14% pay increase over four years, with a 3% bonus for those with at least 10 years of service. Rank-and-file firefighters are still scheduled to vote on their agreement.

SPUR Report Highlights Financial Impact

A recent report from the think tank SPUR emphasized the significant financial implications of these contract negotiations. The report stated that these contracts affect nearly $1 billion in annual spending, representing approximately 39% of the city’s discretionary budget. According to SPUR, a wage increase just 2% above inflation could add $58 million to the deficit.

Future Budget Considerations

Mayor Lurie signed an executive order in May 2025 aiming to add 500 new officers to the SFPD, and the department reported a surge in recruits in October of that year. However, the potential raises for police and firefighters could complicate future budget discussions. The city will begin negotiations with its 31,000 other employees in 2027, and the precedents set by these current agreements could influence those negotiations.