City of Portland Reaches Tentative Agreement with Police Union

The City of Portland has reached a tentative deal with the union representing police employees, ending months of negotiations. The three-year deal also gives officers long-awaited raises and does away with the controversial, so-called 48-hour rule.

"We are confident that this tentative agreement will start us on the road to resolving our staffing shortages and also ensure that we retain the well-educated, trained, experienced, and dedicated professionals of the Portland Police Bureau,” said Daryl Turner, president of the Portland Police Association.

The union agreed to give up the 48-hour rule that allows for officers involved in use of force to wait 48 hours before being interviewed. They also agreed to drop 11 grievances that had been filed against the city.

The city agreed to raise the top salary for officers by 3 percent a year for three years, bringing it to $89,014 from $81,640.

The city and the union hope the raises will help with recruitment as the police bureau faces a staffing crisis.

"We are determined to efficiently fill officer vacancies with quality men and women from Portland’s diverse communities. People who believe in service and quality relationships in the community," said Mayor Charlie Hales.

The union will vote on the contract in the next few weeks while the city council is expected to consider it at its meeting on Sept. 28.

Photo by Colin Miner