New Police Contract Settled in Bernards Township

Bernards Township, NJ -- A new police contract was finalized by the township last night, which will give upper tier officers a 1.9 percent increase and add an additional step for patrol officers.

“I am really pleased with our people and the PBA to come to this agreement,” said Bernards Township Committeeman John Carpenter at the meeting.

The contract -- agreed upon between the township and members of PBA 357, the union representing the township police -- was finalized just days before the previous contract was to expire on Dec. 31. The new agreement will take affect on Jan. 1, 2016 and run through Dec. 31, 2019.

The new agreement will add a tenth step to the nine-step salary guide for patrol officers. The lowest tier patrol officer starting salary is also reduced from $50,000 to $49,992.

The tenth step and top tier police officer will be starting at $111,514.27.

Additionally any top tier officers, who would not be advancing further on the salary scale, will receive a 1.9 percent increase each year through the four-year contract. Those positions include Patrol Officer 10, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain.

For example, a Captain starting at $149,571. 88 will be making $158.260.49 by 2019.

The Captain is the highest position in the agreement since the local PBA union represents all police on the township force except for Police Chief Brian Bobowicz.

Other agreements in the contract include increasing the clothing allowance to reflect the cost of living increases, vision coverage and a change to bereavement leave.

Previously officers only received 24 hours with pay for leave in the event of a death of a loved one. The new agreement allows officers to take five paid days off for a direct family members, such as parent, spouse or child. And three paid days off for other family, such as siblings or grandparents.

Mayor John Malay was pleased with the agreement noting, “We have a terrific relationship with our police department unlike other towns.”

(Photo, New salary guide for Bernards Township officers)