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Peoria police unions present priorities, propose merger of PPOA and COPS ahead of fall MOU talks

5844676 · September 17, 2025

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Summary

Representatives of the Peoria Police Officer Association and COPS presented membership priorities to council Sept. 16, told the council they plan to merge the two unions for bargaining efficiency and said formal negotiations will start Sept. 24 with a target to reach an agreement by Dec. 16.

Representatives of the Peoria Police Officer Association (PPOA) and the COPS labor group presented their negotiating priorities to the City Council on Sept. 16 and said the two organizations plan to merge for future bargaining. Detective David Ayers (PPOA president) told council the groups want parity with neighboring West Valley agencies to attract and retain officers and said the merger would streamline negotiations and reduce city negotiation cycles.

Scope and schedule: Human Resources Director Christine Nicholl said the city’s meet‑and‑confer process (chapter 6 of the city code) covers wages, hours and working conditions. Nicholl said the city’s negotiating interests are to remain financially viable, retain and develop high‑performing staff, and seek multiyear agreements where possible. Ayers said the unions’ negotiating team will include representatives from PPOA and COPS and that the first session is scheduled for Sept. 24; staff said they hope to present a memorandum of understanding to council by Dec. 16.

Union priorities cited: Ayers said PPOA’s goals are to be competitive in the West Valley labor market, retain existing staff and achieve parity so the department can reach target staffing levels and continue delivering public safety services. “The goals of the PPOA, MOU for fiscal year 27 are simple. We wanna become competitive in the labor market, particularly in the West Valley market to attract the best candidates… to retain the current staff that we have and prevent the incentive or lure of other cities,” Ayers said.

Council role and process: City Manager Henry Darwin and Nichols outlined the city’s role in advising council on fiscal impacts and negotiating terms. Staff said the council will be updated during the process and that the city intends to provide data to support bargaining positions. No agreement was reached at the Sept. 16 session; the parties are to meet and continue negotiations in coming weeks.

What the council did not do: Council gave no formal policy direction beyond receiving the bargaining interests and approving the procedural review; no contract or wage changes were adopted at the Sept. 16 meeting.