Union: Arbitrator Awards Hawaii Police Officers Largest Pay Hike in Nearly 2 Decades

Police officers in Hawaii secured the largest pay increase “in at least 17 years ” after an independent arbitrator issued a decision on a new four-year contract that was lauded by union leadership.

The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, in a message to members obtained by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, said the total compensation package will provide most members an increase of more than 27.5%.

That includes base wages, step increases for years of service and a $1,800 retention bonus in July 1, 2026. SHOPO represents more than 2,600 police officers in Hawaii. Overtime rates increase with base pay.

Officers will receive a 5% across-the-board, pensionable raise that started July 1 and will happen each year through 2028. From 2011 to 2020, base pay for officers increased about 2.43% each year.

Police officer pay will increase 40% between 2021 and 2028, according to SHOPO.

“The number of vacancies in the four county police departments is untenable and has reached epic proportions such that there exists a real and significant danger to public safety,” the arbitrator wrote, according to SHOPO.

The message to SHOPO members is titled “Arbitrator’s Decision Issued : New Contract Respects Work of SHOPO Members.”

Step movements, periodic increases in base pay due to seniority and other factors are retained in the arbitrator’s award, with each step worth about 4% in pensionable pay, according to the union.

Officers will get at least one step increase during the contract.

A one-time $1,800 lump sum retention bonus for “PO7” and above will be paid, and the first-year raise and step movements are retroactive to July 1.

“For over a year, the State Board fought tirelessly to deliver a contract that respects your hard work. We worked for an award that begins to address the officer retention crisis that has gone unrecognized and unchecked for far too many years, and to show that police officers statewide are a valued part of this community, ” wrote Nicholas Schlapak, a Honolulu police officer and SHOPO president. “In fact, the arbitrator stated clearly that one of the main drivers of his award was our retention crisis. A crisis no one wanted to talk about, but one we made sure stayed in front of decision makers’ eyes because of its impact on public safety and the detrimental effect it is having on our SHOPO ohana.”

SHOPO representatives will work with county council members to “formally receive ” the arbitrator’s decision and work with budget staff to get officers paid, according to the union.

The union noted that a neutral arbitrator “validated ” SHOPO’s view of the retention crisis.

HPD vacancies hit in July and police departments nationwide have struggled with recruiting and retaining officers. As of July 1 there were 465 vacancies for uniformed officers and 189 civilian openings—and 228 officers eligible for retirement.

As of July 1, 18 officers have retired, 16 resigned, two were fired and four others were discharged.

Last year, 74 police officers, one reserve officer and 18 civilian employees retired. In 2023, 68 officers and 10 civilian employees retired ; in 2022, 68 officers, three reserve officers and 20 civilian workers retired.

Those numbers were down from the COVID-19 period that saw 93 officers and 36 civilian employees retire in 2021, and 81 officers, one reserve officer and 11 civilian employees retire in 2020.

In 2016, HPD was short 175 positions, a number that grew every year, save for 2019 and 2021, until it reached 437 vacancies last year, a 250% increase. HPD had 175 open slots for uniformed officers in 2016, 190 in 2017, 251 in 2018, 249 in 2019, 323 in 2020, 291 in 2021 and 362 in 2022.

“The Honolulu Police Department is committed to working with SHOPO, and appreciate the support for our officers to ensure that our men and women receive the compensation they deserve for all their hard work and dedication,” read a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser from HPD.

The Maui and Kauai police departments did not immediately reply to a Star-Advertiser request for comment.

“Public safety is one of our administration’s top priorities,” Hawaii island Mayor Kimo Alameda told the Star-Advertiser. “While the County must balance a wide range of financial obligations, this decision will support recruitment and retention efforts, ensuring that we maintain a strong workforce by investing in those who protect our communities.”

Schlapak and various negotiating team members are planning to visit each county to give members “an opportunity to ask us questions directly, express your thoughts about the contract, or share your ideas for how SHOPO or the department can improve conditions for our officers and make our communities safer.”

“We began negotiations prepared with clear priorities and principled stands, and with determination that hurting our members and their families by dragging out negotiations was unacceptable,” wrote Schlapak. “Some prior administrations took as much as 30 months to complete a settlement. I am proud to report that we resolved this contract at least 1 year faster than SHOPO’s normal pace.”

A recruit accepted to HPD’s Ke Kula Makai academy earns a base salary of $76, 008 a year that rises to $83, 912 if the standard-­of-conduct bonus is met.

A metropolitan police |officer, after finishing the training and probationary period, starts earning $79, 008 a year and up to $86, 912 if they earn the conduct bonus.

Additional pay could include night differential, overtime at 1.5 times the base hourly rate, meal allowance for overtime work, subsidized vehicle allowance and hazard pay. After accruing credible years of service, police officers receive automatic step increases as defined in the collective bargaining agreement.

Max base salary for patrol officers can range up to $118, 680 or $126, 584 including the conduct bonus.

“We successfully defended all your benefits—your health care, leave, and working conditions are fully protected, ” SHOPO said.

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