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Date: 2/8/2022
CHICOPEE – After months discussing the disproportionate wages between Chicopee’s Police Department and other communities, the City Council approved a raise in the department’s contract during their Feb. 1 meeting.
Mayor John Vieau presented the item as a part of his mayor’s orders, discussing the “good faith” negotiations between the city and the Police Department that led to an increase of $582,620 into the police salary account. “We are now paying our Police Department appropriately once City Council approves [the order] tonight,” said Vieau.
The mayor explained some of the new amendments enforced with the department’s updated contract. He shared that the revised contract changed the pay increase from 12 steps to five while also raising the starting salary for officers to $55,000 beginning in July 2022. Members of the department will also unlock their final financial raise in 15 years compared to a 25 year wait in the previous contract.
Vieau stressed that the raises stand as reflection of the city’s desire to retain talent and fortify a strong Police Department. “Just to be blunt, we want to retain our talent. We want to build a Police Department that we are very proud of, and I think this contract really helps us to do that,” said Vieau, who added the contract achieves pay parity between Chicopee’s Police Department and other Western Mass. communities.
Deputy Chief Jeffery Gawron spoke to the council about the new contract’s impact on the department. “Our officers are the hardest working officers around. I’m here to support them in the hopes you vote for their well-deserved raise,” said Gawron.
The contract agreement arrives as the Police Department prepares to welcome an infusion of new officers. While the deputy chief revealed that the department is still short 26 officers from a full regiment, he shared that eight officers are currently in police academy while 15 hired officers currently await training in the spring. He also plans for the department to hire more officers for next year.
Ward 7 Councilor William Courchesne expressed satisfaction with the contract agreement after advocating for equitable police pay in prior meetings. “I’ve not been very shy about screaming for $55,000 starting pay for our officers. I commend you for taking that leap and getting this done,” said Courchesne.
The council ultimately approved the raise in a unanimous vote.
COVID-19 Update
Vieau also provided an update on COVID-19 cases in the city. After omicron cases surged during the initial weeks of the year, the mayor shared that the city is experiencing a “downturn” in cases, with the city decreasing from over 1,000 open cases the week prior to the meeting to 441 during the week of the meeting.
“The omicron is running it’s course through the city, and we feel like we’re on the downturn,” said Vieau, who also shared that cases continue to decline in Chicopee Public Schools. He also revealed that antigen tests are beginning to be distributed in schools, with students receiving rapid COVID-19 tests if they sign up to participate.
The City Council will meet again on Feb. 22.