Flint Police Contract Proposal Includes Major Raises

Living in Flint, you hear a lot about the challenges police departments face when it comes to hiring and keeping officers. It’s something city leaders, officers, and residents have talked about for years. Now there may finally be some progress. Flint police officers have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with the city after working under an expired deal since last July.

Why Flint Police Officers Could See Significant Pay Raises

According to city officials, the proposed contract includes a 7% retroactive wage increase effective July 1, 2025. Officers would also receive additional pay raises of 6% at the start of the next two fiscal years, beginning July 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027.

Union leaders say the deal has strong support from officers. John Cramer, president of the Flint Patrol Officers Association, said all 60 union members who voted approved the tentative agreement. Cramer said the contract recognizes officers who stayed with the department through difficult years that included layoffs and the city’s emergency financial management period.

How the Proposed Contract Could Help Recruit Officers in Flint

The proposal also includes a change aimed at improving recruitment. The contract would eliminate the lowest starting step on Flint’s police pay scale, allowing new recruits to begin at a higher starting salary based on a report from MLive.

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City officials say that change could make the department more competitive when trying to attract both new officers and experienced officers from other departments.

Flint City Council Expected to Review Contract Quickly

City Council members have scheduled a special meeting to review the agreement. Officials say council members could potentially approve the contract the same night it is introduced. Mayor Sheldon Neeley has urged council to approve the deal quickly so officers can receive their retroactive pay without delay.

Flint has struggled for years to recruit police officers and firefighters, with wages and the demands of the jobs often cited as major challenges. If approved by City Council, the new agreement with the Flint Patrol Officers Association would run through June 30, 2028.