In this month’s edition of Community Impact Newspaper, reporter Emma Freer informs readers about the new police contract (Page 28)—what went into the tense negotiations between the city and the police union, what this means for the future and how state lawmakers’ actions could affect the agreement.
This is an issue Freer has been following for months. The story has huge implications for those on the police force—particularly for the officers who will be getting certain stipends back for working night shifts or appearing in court.
However, this story is an important one for the community as a whole as well. The new office of police oversight, created alongside the new contract, will work to establish more trust between APD and community groups and improve officers’ wellness, which will strengthen the department’s interactions with the community.
The story of the new contract is about more than budget numbers and compromises, it’s about a community vision the department and the city both see.