The Regional Transportation District (RTD) and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #72 have signed a new three-year collective bargaining agreement, which includes an increase in salary for RTD police officers. The starting salary for an academy recruit will rise from $68,213 to approximately $71,000. RTD Officer Corey Averill, who represented the police union in negotiations, highlighted the importance of the agreement in providing peace of mind to officers and ensuring their needs are met. RTD aims to expand its police force from the current 100 officers to 150 by the end of 2025, in order to cover the 2,342 square miles that the agency spans across eight counties.
Despite operating without a permanent police chief, RTD expects to have a selected candidate by the second quarter of 2025. General Manager and CEO Debra Johnson emphasized the importance of competitive market wages for police officers to attract and retain talent. The agency is dedicated to growing and improving its services to handle the vast area it covers, with Averill asking for patience during this period of growth.
This new agreement demonstrates RTD’s commitment to supporting its police officers and ensuring they can focus on their duties without the added stress of pay and benefits. The agency is making strides to increase its police force and provide a safe and secure transportation system for the community.
