HOUSTON – The Houston Police Officers’ Union voted to approve a new five-year contract, several provisions continue longstanding policies that shape the department’s operations and oversight.
PREVIOUS: Houston reaches tentative five-year contract agreement with police officers’ union
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The contract is designed to keep Houston police pay highly competitive with departments in Austin, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Dallas.
RELATED: Houston police union approve 5-year contract increasing salaries, recruiting new officers
While much attention is on the salary increases and recruitment goals, here are other critical components of the contract:
Diversity hiring
The City retains authority to recruit academy cadets of its choosing—overriding state law—to ensure the department reflects the diversity of the community it serves.
Chief’s vote in labor disputes
In cases of tied votes within the Labor Relations Committee, the Chief of Police retains the decisive vote.
How deputy chiefs are chosen
The Chief continues to have the authority to appoint assistant chiefs directly, replacing the older system of promoting from tested deputy chiefs.
Incentive-based programs
The Chief can implement incentive-based programs to promote officer wellness and safety.
Disciplinary investigation timelines
The timeline for investigating disciplinary matters begins at the point of discovery, maintaining the current 180-day window.
Tuition reimbursement rules
Officers who receive tuition reimbursement and leave the department within five years must repay costs using accrued leave. This article also includes an increase in Patrol Incentive Pay to keep officers motivated to respond quickly to service calls.
Time off pay options
The phase-down program remains in place, allowing officers to receive payouts of accumulated paid time off every two weeks, preventing large unfunded liabilities.
HPD officer recruiting
The Chief, at his discretion, may permit union members to dedicate time to recruiting new officers and working on legislative matters at the state level that benefit Houston.
The proposed contract will go to the City Council for a vote May 15, 2025.
