PRESS RELEASE
Mayor Whitmire and HPOU Announce Details of "Generational Contract" for Police Officers
Agreement Prioritizes Public Safety, Improves Pay and Recruitment
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May 2, 2025 -- Mayor John Whitmire joined the Houston Police Officers' Union and Police Chief J. Noe Diaz to announce details of a five-year contract with HPOU. This contract includes increased starting officers' salaries, a pay raise for experienced officers, and significant investments in the Houston Police Department's recruitment and retention strategies.
The transformative agreement recognizes the hard work and sacrifice of police officers and makes HPD more competitive with police departments across the state.
The contract includes salary increases (36.5% over 5 years):
- July 2025 – 10% Increase
- July 2026 – 8% Increase
- July 2027 – 6% Increase
- July 2028 – 6% Increase
- July 2029 – 6.5% Increase
- On July 1, 2025, a first-year officer would make $81,600 while receiving a shift and weekend differential.
- Patrol pay for an officer with at least two years of seniority will increase from $600 to $1600 annually. More information is available here.
- More salary information is available here.
"This is going to improve public safety. In any job, morale matters, particularly when putting your life on the line. Morale is good in HPD, which will help it reach an all-time high," said Mayor Whitmire. "We all have the same goal to thank our rank-and-file police officers who go to work every day and have been underpaid and underappreciated by the city for many years. This is a huge step of showing our appreciation to them for putting their lives on the line to protect and serve Houstonians."
"They (officers) go out there daily and do the job. It is truly a calling for most of us, and I want to applaud them because, without them and their hard work, we would not be here today. I also want to thank Mayor Whitmire. He has stepped up, stopped the city from kicking the can down the road, and worked hard to get us where we need to be as an organization. I also want to thank the negotiating team. The citizens of Houston have truly stepped up and supported this organization better than any city in this state, and we're blessed to be here." HPOU President Doug Griffith.
"I want to thank Mayor Whitmire for his leadership and support. This contract is generational and life-changing for our police officers and cadets joining us. It recognizes the men and women at the Houston Police Department are charged with protecting the fourth largest city in the nation and pays them accordingly," said Police Chief J. Noe Diaz. "It will help us recruit new officers and retain the ones who have already dedicated themselves to this city, its residents, and our profession. If you are considering a career in law enforcement, have a heart for public service, and care about your community, please consider HPD. There is no other job so fulfilling. We encourage you to "Be the Blue" and apply at hpdcareer.com."
Negotiating teams for the city and HPOU met for several months to reach an agreement. The police officers' union represents 5,200 officers, and its membership starts voting on Monday, May 5. Once approved, the contract will be presented to Houston City Council.
"This is a monumental generational contract for our police department that will continue for a long time. Our compensation package for our younger officers has been choking our ability to recruit and retain. We have people who leave routinely to go to other departments when they have five years or less with HPD. Because of this contract, and thanks to the mayor and his team and our support from the City Council and the citizens of Houston, we will change that. We deserve to be paid like the fourth largest city in the country and the fifth largest police department," said HPD Executive Chief Thomas Hardin.
Next Tuesday, May 6, Mayor Whitmire will unveil details of his administration's proposed FY 26 balanced budget, including how he will fund the HPOU contract and other city services.
