ST. LOUIS—Police officers and sergeants with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) are set to get a 7% raise, according to city officials. 

Under a new pending collective bargain agreement announced Tuesday, the St. Louis Police Officers’ Association (SLPOA) agreed to reduce the number of commissioned personnel by 124 officers to 1,100. 

Police Chief Robert Tracy explained this was a strategic move that still ensures public safety is the top priority.

 “Everyone involved agreed by trimming the number of budgeted officers, a 7% pay increase could be implemented, allowing us to attract new recruits to this noble profession,” said Chief Tracy in a press release. 

The SLMPD has been struggling to fill positions. In 2023, the city increased salaries for all city employees, including officers who received an 8% to 13% raise. It was in an effort to make the department more competitive with neighboring  jurisdictions.

In Oct. 2024, Spectrum News reported Chief Tracy said 23 officers who left the department for another agency had returned.

At that time, the department was about 300 officers short of its then budgeted force of 1,224 officers. The SLMPD told Spectrum News Tuesday that it now has 896 officers, which includes trainees. 

The agreement also trimmed the service requirement from a maximum of 30 years to 20 years which will allow for more substantial pay increases. Officials believe the move will also help retain officers and recruit future ones. 

New officers will also see a salary bump when they leave the department’s police academy. The new pay will be $56,920, up from $53,196. 

Mayor Tishaura Jones says city officials will continue to work to recruit and retain officers.

“The best thing we can do to help our officers is give them more colleagues, and that – in addition to showing our appreciation – is what we hope to accomplish with this raise for our officers,” said Jones. Police department employees, including officers, also stand to benefit from pending legislation that would give all city employees access to funds for childcare affordability and postsecondary educational opportunities for families.

The bargaining agreement reached between the SLMPD, SLPOA, mayor’s office and the St. Louis Department of Personnel still has to be sent to the Civil Service Commission for approval before being sent to the Board of Aldermen and the Board of Estimate and Apportionment.