BARRIE, ON — Members of the OPP are now the highest-paid police officers in Ontario.
The Ontario Provincial Police Association, which represents close to 10,000 members, says it has ratified a new collective agreement that gives the officers the best compensation among all police services in the province.
Nearly 88 per cent of members ratified the agreement, while about 93 per cent of civilian staff ratified a separate agreement.
The four-year deal includes salary increases in each year as follows:
- Jan. 1, 2023 - 4.75%
- Jan. 1, 2024 - 4.50%
- Jan. 1, 2025 - 2.75%
- Jan. 1, 2026 - 2.75%
John Cerasuolo, president of the OPP Association, was quoted in January as saying the OPP ranked 29th among police services in Ontario for salary at that time.
In a statement Monday, he said: "Our sworn police officers and civilian members work tirelessly to serve and protect the citizens of Ontario each and every day, often putting their own lives at risk. Our members deserve to be the top paid police in Ontario."