The Saugeen Shores Police Association have ratified a new collective deal that will increase members pay an average of four per cent annually.
The new Uniform and Civilian Collective Agreements span from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027.
"I commend the Saugeen Shores Police Service Board for entering these negotiations with a true understanding of the current policing environment in Ontario," said Saugeen Shores Police Association President, Sergeant Ken Cook. "These negotiations were lengthy and addressed several items that were important to both sides."
The new deal will see wage increases of 4.5 per cent for uniform police officers, special constables and jail guards in 2024 and 2025, before increases of 3.5 per cent the following two years.
Civilian support services staff will receive a $5,000 salary increase retroactive to January 1, and then match the percentage increases above starting on January 1, 2025.
The association said the improvement to wages was influenced by requirements within the new Community Safety and Policing Act (which came into effect on April 1, 2024), and both provincial policing and regional employment wage rates.
"These collective agreements go a long way toward ensuring that Members stay healthy, happy, and right here with us as Saugeen Shores continues to be a great place to visit and an even better place to live and work in," said Saugeen Shores Police Service Board Chair, Diane Huber. "I am very proud of the work realized by Civilian staff in meeting the needs of the public and local policing and recognize the incredible patrol, communication, investigative and enforcement abilities of each and every sworn Police Officer."