Atlanta Police Earn a Win in a Long Pay Raise Battle

ATLANTA - A promise was made 18 months ago to do something about pay for veteran cops in Atlanta.

Finally, 247 sergeants earned a win, lobbying successfully for hikes that will increase minimum salaries to a range of from $60,000 on the low end to $68,000 on the high end. And for some of the veteran officers, the jump for individuals can be as high as $10,000.

The issue of police officer pay got sidetracked by the Public Safety Union taking part in a lawsuit over the pension overhaul for all government workers. Mayor Reed made it clear the cops should not expect him to budge as long as a potential pension debt loomed due to the lawsuit.

That issue is over now and around city hall there is a sign that ill feelings are subsiding.

The pay decision for sergeants follows earlier action for police lieutenants. The city council is promoting to do more in 2016 for the other officers as well as the firefighters.