VENICE, Fla. (SNN TV) – Salary negotiations have stalled between the police union and the city of Venice over pay for officers.
The Herald-Tribune reports that the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 57 is pushing for a pay increase for Venice Police Department officers, arguing they’re the lowest paid officers in the region.
Last year, the union and the city signed a three-year contract with an option to reopen negotiations for the type of salary bumps the officers are seeking. However, the union claimed the gap between what the officers want and what the city is currently prepared to offer is too wide.
That contract called for a 10-step pay plan with officers starting at $53,322 and topping out at Step 10 at $80,388.
Since 2022, Sarasota County law enforcement in North Port, Sarasota, and Longboat Key have all received significant raises. The top rate for a Sarasota police officer is $97,209, while a Venice officer’s top rate is $80,388.