O’Hara officials have approved a new four-year deal with their police department.
Council unanimously voted on the contract Jan. 13.
Township Manager Julie Jakubec said terms include 3.25% wage hikes each year. There are no changes to health care contributions or pensions.
The new deal comes with new positions. The township has added the rank of corporal to enhance officer advancement.
“It gives the officers something to strive for,” Jakubec said. “Folks are excited about the opportunity. There’s testing and everything that goes on with it.”
The Civil Service Commission will come up with rules and regulations to become a corporal. The hope is to promote at least two officers to that position in the fall.
The previous collective bargaining agreement, which was negotiated with the Fraternal Order of Police, had patrol officer and sergeant positions.
The new deal was negotiated by Teamsters Local 249. It also represents O’Hara’s public works and clerical staff.
Jakubec said the township worked with different business agents for the police compared to the other two groups, and there was a learning process getting to know the representatives.
Police contract negotiations began in the summer.
“We had to work through some issues,”Jakubec said. “We were successful and everybody walked away happy. … We just had to get to know each other and see what was really important to them. They needed to see what was really important to us. It was just getting to know new people.”
Jakubec said the contract is a win-win for both parties and will help with township budgeting the next few years.
Teamsters leadership did not respond to multiple calls seeking commentby press time.
A public works contract was approved last year. A clerical contract was approved in 2024.
The police contract impacts the department’s 17 full-time officers.
Police Superintendent Jay Davis, who served in an advisory role for the township in the negotiations, and deputy Superintendent Patrick Goodman are in administrative positions and are not directly impacted by the contract.
“The officers themselves ratified the agreement, which indicates they were satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations and the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement,” Davis said via email Jan. 21.
Councilman Mike Hammill said Jakubec did a great job representing the township in the negotiations.
“I like the deal,” he said Jan. 21. “I think it’s pretty fair. I think it’s good. It’s competitive, and I think our police department and officers are going to be good with it.”
Councilman George Stewart highlighted department improvements under Davis’ leadership such as increased training, police manual upgrades and use of drones.
Officer Maria Sciacca has served as the department’s drone operator for a few years and assisted in multiple emergencies in different communities.
“There’s more specialization now within the force,” Stewart said. “We’ve got some people that are doing great things.”
