LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Editor's note: The above video is when the contracts were first released in April 2024.
Louisville Metro Council is planning to vote on a pair of Louisville Fraternal Order of Police, or FOP, contracts.
The 120 pages of collective bargaining agreements address issues like working conditions, job benefits, and raising police salaries.
Ahead of the council's vote, the community was able to address the Public Safety Committee Monday to share both criticism and support, four days after the contracts were made public.
To see the first contract, click here. For the second contract, click here.
"These contracts are funneling more money to police and more money to the police equals less for the vital city services," said Abby Long. "Public safety comes from a network of city services and amenities, not a militarized police force who were paid in an attempt to recruit better people. You're just paying the bad ones more."
RELATED: Louisville FOP, Metro Government agree on contract proposals; Metro Council set to vote on it soon
One of the biggest issues the contract tackles is a pay increase to officers.
"We're losing too many officers to other departments for more money and less crime," Kim Moore said. "Mt. Washington doesn't have 13-year-olds on the ground with AK 47s, we do."
If both proposals pass Metro Council, all Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) officers and sergeants will see an immediate 7% boost in pay.
Another round of raises would go into effect in July, bringing starting officer pay to $60,552 a year.
One resident who addressed the committee in support of the FOP contracts was Rebecca Grignon Reker.
She lost her husband, LMPD officer Peter Grignon in 2005 when he was killed in the line of duty. She now serves as executive director for the Louisville Metro Police Foundation and is in support of raising salaries.
"I walked out into the hallway to leave the hospital without my husband and the corridor was filled with a sea of blue," she said. "Peter's brothers and sisters in law enforcement gathered around me and supported us as we rebuilt our lives."
As of April second, LMPD says the department is short 280 officers.
Some, are hopeful the contracts pass to recruit more officers.
"This department is far different than it was 25 years ago," Moore said. "I want to see change take place. I want to see good officers be compensated and I want to see bad officers gone."
Others asked the council to send the contracts back.
"You have the power to be bold, vote no, and to send these contracts back," Louisville resident Nancy said. "LMPD has done nothing to earn additional funding and increased power to investigate themselves while they continue to commit crimes against the citizens of this city."
The Mayor's Office and FOP both signed off on the contract last Monday.
A statement from Mayor Craig Greenberg's office says in part, "these two collective bargaining agreements set forth a new standard to better support our first responders and the families across our city who depend on them."
If you are interested in speaking during the meeting, you can register online here.
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