Pembroke Park negotiators reach agreement in principle on police wage package

Town of Pembroke Park negotiators and representatives of the Florida Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) said they have reached an agreement in principle on the financial terms of a two-year collective bargaining agreement for the town’s police department, including pay increases that officials described as necessary to remain competitive for patrol officers.

Town Manager Dave Lynch said the package on the table includes a total 23% pay increase over two years — 16% in year one and 7% in year two — with intermediate step increases of about 5.5% between grades for patrol officers. “There’s a 23% increase on the table over 2 years. 16% year 1, 7% in year 2,” Lynch said during the session. He and other town staff said the proposal front-loads larger increases for patrol officers while providing smaller increases for sergeants and lieutenants.

The wage terms were described by Paul Munyardas, FOP labor counsel, as acceptable to the union’s bargaining team. “We… will be agreeing to your wage proposal at this time,” Munyardas said, signaling the union’s willingness to move forward on the financial package. Lynch confirmed the parties had reached agreement on the pay-scale portion of the contract and said the remaining contract language would be finalized in follow-up sessions before ratification.

Key elements discussed

- Wage structure: Officials presented ranges and step increases that Lynch said aim to make the town’s starting pay “competitive” in the…