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Council ratifies nonmonetary meet-and-confer agreement to expand police hiring tools
Summary
Council approved a one-year, nonmonetary meet-and-confer agreement with the Lubbock Professional Police Association to allow flexible civil service testing, broaden lateral hiring with pay-step credit, and formalize a physical fitness program with limited paid time off to support recruitment and retention.
The Lubbock City Council on Sept. 23 ratified a one-year, nonmonetary meet-and-confer agreement with the Lubbock Professional Police Association intended to improve recruitment and retention without immediate financial commitments.
City Manager Atkinson told council the agreement modifies Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code (civil service rules) to allow three operational changes for the police department: permit civil service entrance examinations at any time and location for qualified groups or individuals; authorize lateral hires who receive full credit for prior service when placed in pay steps; and formalize a physical fitness program—piloted by Police Chief Herman—that can award limited paid time off for meeting performance marks (with the paid time off not bankable or convertible to cash). Atkinson described the agreement as "nonmonetary" and said it was drafted with outside counsel review.
Michael Everett, president and chief negotiator for the Lubbock Professional Police Association, told council the package "takes a lot of stuff off the table" while providing recruiting tools and that the lateral hiring changes "show huge promise." Everett told council the department currently has 24 open sworn positions and said recent lateral recruiting has brought in six hires.
Council members praised the agreement as a necessary step to help staffing while acknowledging financial elements will be negotiated later when budget conditions improve. The council approved the resolution by unanimous voice vote.
Next steps: The nonmonetary changes take effect as outlined; the city and associations plan to resume financial negotiations later (Atkinson said additional financial discussions are anticipated between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15).
