Salinas Police Officers Association reaches new two-year pay agreement as department continues to struggle with staffing shortage

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) - This week, Salinas City Council passed a new two-year pay agreement with the Salinas Police officers association. It includes a wage increase of 4% starting in February plus 2% starting January 2025, among other changes

"I think this this MOU will be helpful in terms of retaining some of our older officers, but I still worry about the fact that we are a net negative 50 officers on the street in the last 15 years," Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig said.

In a statement to KION, the association’s president Chris Avila said, "although we were able to reach a 2 year agreement, we still have some concerns. Our younger officers know that this contract benefits the more senior [officers], but it doesn’t entice recruitment.”

During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Councilmember Steve McShane brought up concerns.

“We've had budget increases year after year for P.D. by dollar. But by percent of budget we have had decreases year after year. And I want someone out there to look at that. I would argue that this council is not supportive of the PD," McShane said.

However, Interim City Manager Jim Pia argues that’s not the case.

“They are supportive of our police department, all of our officers, I think it's an issue of semantics whether or not more dollars or less percentage is going through the effort," Pia said.

Meanwhile, Chris Avila said while hiring police officers has become a nationwide problem, it doesn’t have to be a Salinas problem.

“I have full faith that our city leaders will work in collaboration with us and make the safety of Salinas a priority," Avila said.

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The agreement will bring in roughly $2,379,000 over two years to the department. With Chief Roberto Filice leaving the department earlier this month, the city tells KION a new Assistant Chief of Police will be announced in the coming days.