Omaha City Council approves new pay plan for police officers

A significant ordinance aimed at enhancing the pay structure for Omaha police officers was presented at the Omaha City Council meeting on April 22, 2025. The proposed amendment to the collective bargaining agreement with the Omaha Police Officers Association (OPOA) seeks to ensure that Omaha remains the highest-paying law enforcement agency in Nebraska, a status that is currently at risk due to competitive pay increases from neighboring agencies.

Deputy City Attorney Bernardinaboche outlined the plan, which includes a 5% pay increase for top officers and a corresponding 2.7% raise for all ranks for the remainder of 2025. This adjustment is designed to counteract the escalating pay rates from other law enforcement agencies that threaten Omaha's competitive edge in recruitment and retention.

The ordinance also introduces a mechanism to maintain Omaha's pay advantage moving forward. Each year, the city will assess the pay plans of competing agencies and ensure that Omaha's salaries are at least 5% higher. This proactive approach aims to deter other agencies from continuously raising their pay in response to Omaha's adjustments.

In addition to salary increases, the plan includes measures to attract experienced lateral officers by allowing those with eight years of service from comparable agencies to start at a higher pay step. The city also plans to streamline its recruitment process by offering continuous testing and establishing two Police Academy start dates each year, enhancing the department's ability to fill vacancies promptly.

The personnel board has recommended approval of the ordinance, and it has received overwhelming support from the OPOA. As the city council deliberates on this critical amendment, the future of Omaha's police recruitment and retention strategy hangs in the balance, with potential implications for public safety and community trust in law enforcement.