Updated at 1 p.m., Dec. 9: An earlier version of this story included a previous offer from the city on pay compensation in its collective bargaining negotiations with the Alexandria Police Department. The city’s most recent offer increases starting pay for police officers 17.21% from $63,988 a year to an annual salary of $75,000; a 21% increase for sergeants from $72,300 to $87,500 and police lieutenants 15% from $89,800 to $106,900.
With collective bargaining at a standstill, the Alexandria Police Department’s union is calling for increased salaries as the department’s pay has fallen behind other Northern Virginia localities.
The current starting pay for an APD officer is $64,000, and the department offers no hiring bonuses. In a new release and petition, the Alexandria chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association is urging the city to address the department’s “escalating staffing and recruitment crisis” with salaries that will compete with neighboring cities and counties.
“Despite the time invested and the seriousness of the issues raised, officer pay in Alexandria remains well behind regional standards,” VPBA wrote. “Without corrective action from the City, this coming fiscal year, Alexandria will become the only nearby locality with a starting salary below $70,000, falling between $10,000 and $15,000 behind surrounding jurisdictions such as Fairfax County, Arlington County, Prince William County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County.”
The city’s 2022 collective bargaining agreement raised base pay for new officers from $54,700 per year to $61,500, with 2% pay increases each year since. It expires June 30, 2026.
The city and police union are aiming for a new collective bargaining agreement, which would be in effect from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. Negotiations have reached an impasse, with the union seeking significant, incremental pay increases for police officers, sergeants and lieutenants.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins declined to comment, but said City Council will discuss the issue during a public hearing tomorrow night (Tuesday).
Collective bargaining efforts paid off for officers at the Arlington County Police Department. Starting next summer, Arlington will offer new officers $90,000 per year, in addition to a $25,000 hiring bonus.
In Fairfax County, which is undergoing its own collective bargaining process, new officers currently make nearly $72,000, with a $15,000 hiring bonus; Fairfax City offers new officers $64,500 with a $15,000 hiring bonus; Falls Church pays new officers $68,400, with no hiring bonus; and the Metropolitan Police Department pays new officers $$75,400, with a $25,000 hiring bonus.
“The safety of our residents and the stability of our police department depend on the decisions made now,” VPBA President Damon Minnix said. “Competitive pay is the foundation of a functional, effective, and dependable law enforcement agency. Alexandria cannot afford to fall further behind.”
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire told ALXnow last month that hiring bonuses and pay are a “significant concern” for young officers.
“They do a very dangerous job,” McGuire said. “They make a lot of sacrifices, and we are a 24-hour operation here that is not probably similar to other city departments.”
McGuire, who is representing the city in collective bargaining, said he wants to bring back a $10,000 hiring bonus.
“I think the hiring bonus for younger officers is a tool to not just recruit them, but also, we also have to really focus on what sustainability means for our entire workforce,” McGuire said.
The union’s ask comes as APD has contended with ongoing staffing issues, transferring some officers from specialized units to staff patrol operations on the street.
“We are rotating detectives through patrol as it relates to the increased number of staff and vacancies that we have experienced here probably over the last four months,” McGuire said.
In the meantime, City Manager Jim Parajon has asked all city departments to submit their annual budgets to his office with 1% cuts.
“As a police chief, I’m going to do what city manager asked me to do,” McGuire said. “I think the city manager is fully aware of what is going on within the region, and again, as it relates to the collective bargaining agreement. We’re trying to work through that now collaboratively, as relates to wages and benefits for the organization.”
APD has not responded to several ALXnow requests to provide staffing figures.
