EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — East Brunswick police officers at the top of the pay scale will earn $159,535 by 2029 under a new four-year contract approved by the Township Council.
On Monday, Nov. 9, the council unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 145, the union that represents the township's police officers. The contract runs from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2029. It replaces the previous contract, which expired at the end of 2025.
The council also voted 4-0 to introduce two ordinances setting the new salaries, one for PBA Local 145 and one for the Superior Officers Association, SOA 145A, which represents the department's sergeants, lieutenants, captains and deputy chief. Councilwoman Dana Winston abstained on both. The pay increases are retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026.
A public hearing and final vote on both salary ordinances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, in the Municipal Courtroom.
Councilman Kevin McEvoy thanked Mayor Brad Cohen, Township Administrator Joseph Criscuolo, the township's legal staff and members of the police department who he said "worked tirelessly to put both of these contracts together."
"I know it was a long time coming and a lot of negotiations, and I applaud both sides for coming together for what I believe is the best for East Brunswick," McEvoy said.
Officers hired before Jan. 1, 2019, are paid a single base salary. It rises 3.25% each year under the new contract:
Officers hired on or after Jan. 1, 2019, move up a 12-step pay scale. Starting pay at Step 1 goes from $56,326 in 2026 to $60,047 in 2027, an increase of about 6.6%. It then rises 3.25% a year, to $64,014 by 2029.
The top of that scale, Step 12, matches the salary for officers hired before 2019. It's a big jump from Step 11: in 2026, Step 11 pays $110,108 and Step 12 pays $144,939, a difference of nearly $35,000.
Under the SOA salary ordinance, superior officers' pay rises about 4% in 2027, 4.5% to 4.8% in 2028 and 3.5% in 2029:
Under both salary ordinances, officers who retire during the 2026-2029 contract and qualify for retiree medical coverage will pay 1.5% of their annual pension toward their health, prescription and dental premiums. They will keep paying until both the retiree and their spouse are eligible for Medicare and they have no other qualifying dependents.
If adopted, both salary ordinances take effect 20 days after final passage and publication. Copies of the full PBA contract are on file in the municipal clerk's office.
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