Council ratifies FOP contract with pay increases, bonuses and a capped 457 loan program

The Harper Woods City Council approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police (patrol officers and dispatchers) covering the period cited in the contract and made effective retroactive to 01/01/2026 for some provisions.

City staff summarized contract highlights as pay increases designed to maintain comparability with neighboring communities, a 2.5% pay increase specified in contract text, an annual bonus for cross-trained public safety officers, detective bureau bonuses, a $1,000 signing bonus for some positions, and pension/match language described as a 3-to-1 match with a $3,000 cap for 457 plans. The city manager invited labor attorney Ken Wilson and Police Chief Hammerly to respond to council questions. Attorney Wilson described the loan program and its limits: "So the cap is $3,000 per, per employee. The loan program, we were fairly restrictive on it. Employees cannot have out more than 1 loan. They've got to pay back, a loan before they can take out another loan."

Council members asked whether bonuses apply to current officers or to future cross-trained officers; Wilson and Chief Hammerly clarified that certain PSO bonuses apply to officers who are already cross-trained or those who complete certification (fire 1 and fire 2). After discussion council approved the resolution to adopt the labor agreement and authorize the mayor and city manager to sign.