Fairfield Approves New 3-Year Police Union Contract With 2.75% Raises

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Representative Town Meeting and the Fairfield Police Union both approved a new three-year contract for the union this week, locking in labor peace between the town and C.O.P.S. Local 550 through June 30, 2025.

The new pact calls for salary increases of 2.75 percent per year for members of the Fairfield Force, and among other changes, also slightly increases the amount officers contribute to health insurance by a couple of percentage points to about 18 percent.

In a statement to emailed to Patch, Officer Ray Quiles, president of the Fairfield Police Union, was expressed his appreciation with the agreement between the town and the union.

"The recently ratified contract between C.O.P.S. Local 550 and the Town of Fairfield was voted on and approved by both the RTM and our membership with the outstanding majority of all parties in favor," Quiles said. "We believe it is a fair agreement to both the membership and the Town of Fairfield. This contract provides modest wage increases to combat record high inflation, with some minor changes to college incentives, off-duty assignments and bereavement policies for our membership. For years we have shared a good working relationship with the Police administration and town hall, and we look forward to continuing this relationship in the future. The Fairfield Police Local 550 and the Fairfield Police Department take great pride in serving the Town of Fairfield, and appreciate the continued support in the many ways we serve our community."

The Fairfield Police Department "employs 110 sworn officers, 70 authorized special traffic agents, 15 telecommunicators, 4 Animal Control Officers and 7 Marina Guards," according to officials. Not all of those employees are part of the union.

Starting salary for officers is $68,000, according to a recent job posting.

First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick was also pleased with the new contract.

"The Town is very grateful for the service of the men and women of the Fairfield Police Department who protect the residents of Fairfield every day," she told Patch in a statement. "I thought the requests from the Police Union were reasonable and the Town was able to negotiate a fair deal for both parties, evidenced by the near unanimous support of the contract by union membership and the unanimous support by the town’s legislative body."