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Council adopts 4% pay increase and $3,500 residency bonus for sworn police officers
Summary
Substitute Bill 68-25, establishing 2026 pay and benefits for sworn members of the South Bend Police Department, passed by council. The ordinance sets a 4% salary increase, raises longevity pay, and includes a $3,500 residency bonus for officers who live within the city limits; bargaining committee members described negotiations as amicable.
The Common Council adopted Substitute Bill 68-25, which fixes annual pay and monetary fringe benefits for sworn members of the South Bend Police Department for calendar year 2026.
City Controller Kyle Willis told the council the substitute ordinance provides a 4% salary increase for officers, increases longevity pay, and includes a $3,500 residency bonus for officers who live within city limits. The finance committee reported the item out with a favorable recommendation after bargaining committee negotiations; councilmembers on the negotiating team described the talks as amicable and said participants negotiated in good faith while acknowledging fiscal pressures related to SB 1.
Councilmember Bolden Simpson requested a later staff report comparing overtime costs before and after fuller staffing; councilmembers also offered public thanks to police personnel for service. The ordinance passed at third reading by a roll-call vote recorded as 9 ayes.
