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Council ratifies non‑monetary meet-and-confer agreement with Lubbock Professional Police Association
Summary
City Council unanimously ratified a one‑year, non‑monetary meet‑and‑confer agreement with the Lubbock Professional Police Association that expands testing flexibility, enables lateral hiring credit and formalizes a physical fitness program; union president said the department currently has 24 open sworn positions.
The Lubbock City Council unanimously approved a resolution Sept. 23 ratifying a one‑year meet‑and‑confer agreement between the City of Lubbock and the Lubbock Professional Police Association (LPPA).
City Manager Atkinson briefed the council on the agreement and described it as a non‑monetary package that modifies portions of Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code (civil service) to aid recruitment and retention. “This is probably a very unique meet and confer agreement in that it is a non monetary agreement,” Atkinson said.
The agreement includes three primary changes presented to council: - Flexibility to administer civil‑service entrance examinations “at any time or location” to qualified groups or individual candidates, enabling more frequent and targeted testing; this language comes from the agreement text described by staff. - Expanded authority for lateral hiring that allows qualified, experienced officers to be hired with full credit for prior service when placed on departmental pay steps, facilitating transfers from other agencies. - Formalization of a physical fitness program piloted by the chief that offers paid time off as a performance incentive; paid time off earned under the program cannot be cashed out.
Michael Everett, president and chief negotiator for the Lubbock Professional Police Association, said the changes aim to improve recruiting and retention. “The lateral hiring process shows huge promise and would mean a whole lot to our department,” Everett said. When asked about vacancies, Everett told the council: “Currently, we have 24 open positions.”
Atkinson said the agreement avoids exchanging other rights and has been vetted by outside counsel. He described the package as a way to move forward on recruitment without creating immediate financial obligations while preserving the option to resume full financial negotiations with the associations later. Several councilmembers thanked the association and city staff and reiterated support for completing a financial component when budget conditions permit.
The council approved the resolution by unanimous vote. The resolution authorizes ratification of the one‑year meet‑and‑confer agreement as presented; no changes to pay or other monetary terms were included in this action.
Staff and union leaders said they intend to resume discussions on compensation when the city’s fiscal outlook allows; the council’s action is limited to the non‑monetary changes in the agreement.
