The Californer - City of Long Beach Reaches Tentative Labor Agreement with Long Beach Police Officers Association

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~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach has announced a tentative three-year labor agreement with the Long Beach Police Officers Association (POA) in an effort to remain competitive with other agencies and address issues of recruitment and retention. The agreement also aims to incentivize critical skill sets within the police force.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his support for the agreement, stating, "Our police officers take on complex and demanding responsibilities, and this agreement acknowledges the skill, professionalism, and leadership required in today's public safety environment." He emphasized that by prioritizing fair compensation, enhanced training incentives, and support for specialized roles, the city is reinforcing its commitment to meeting the evolving public safety needs of the community.

City Manager Tom Modica also praised the agreement for promoting organizational stability by aligning compensation and training incentives with the operational needs of the Police Department. He thanked the POA for their partnership in reaching this agreement.

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The tentative agreement includes a three-year contract from October 1st, 2025 to September 30th, 2028. It also includes general salary increases of 3% in the first year, 4% in the second year, and 5% in the third year. Additionally, there will be one-time payments for each POA classification in the first year.

The agreement also addresses specific areas such as Solo Patrol Premium Pays which will see an increase for Police Officers assigned to one-officer units on Watch 1 and Watch 3 receiving 10% of Step 5 Police Officer base hourly rate. Those assigned to Watch 2 will receive a 5% increase. There will also be an increase in Field Training Officer Premium Pay to 15% of Step 5 Police Officer base hourly rate. Furthermore, new specialized unit Field Training Officer Pay will be introduced at a rate of 5% of Step 5 Police Officer base hourly rate while Field Training Officer Divisional Sergeant Pay will be set at 2.5% of Step 5 Police Officer base hourly rate. Additionally, members who have obtained an Intermediate Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certificate will receive a 3% increase in their Step 5 Police Officer base hourly rate.

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POA President Rich Chambers expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, stating, "This contract reflects a shared understanding of the challenges facing police staffing and the need to remain competitive in Southern California." He also highlighted the importance of addressing recruitment, training, and retention issues for both officers and the community they serve.

The agreement was ratified by POA members on December 22nd, 2025 and will now go before the Long Beach City Council for consideration and public discussion on January 20th, 2026. The POA represents approximately 730 employees.

Prior to reaching this agreement, City and POA representatives held a total of 15 meetings since June 2025. The total structural annual net fiscal impact costs once fully implemented in FY26 is estimated to be $24.8 million across all funds, with $23.8 million coming from the General Fund.

This tentative agreement reflects a collaborative effort between the City of Long Beach and the POA to address important issues within the police force while also ensuring that officers are fairly compensated for their demanding roles. With this agreement in place, both parties are confident that they can continue delivering high-quality public safety services while responsibly planning for the future.

Filed Under: Government, City

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