NYPD sergeants take to the streets outside Harlem’s Apollo Theatre, demanding fair pay and contract resolution as they earn less than the officers they supervise.
At a Glance
- Over 200 NYPD sergeants protested outside the Apollo Theatre during Mayor Adams’ State of the City address
- Sergeants earn less than top-paid police officers due to a “compression issue” in their pay structure
- The wage disparity has led to significant morale problems and threatens NYPD’s future leadership
- Mayor Adams acknowledged the protest and promised to settle a contract with the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA)
- The SBA remains skeptical, urging immediate action to resolve the longstanding pay disparity
NYPD Sergeants’ Pay Dispute Reaches Boiling Point
In a significant display of frustration, more than 200 NYPD sergeants gathered outside Harlem’s Apollo Theatre to protest wage disparities and delayed contract negotiations. The demonstration, organized by the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), coincided with Mayor Eric Adams’ State of the City address, highlighting the urgency of their demands for fair compensation.
The core issue, known as the “compression issue,” has resulted in a peculiar situation where sergeants earn less than the top-paid police officers they supervise. This pay disparity can persist for years until sergeants reach top pay, causing significant morale problems and threatening the effectiveness of the NYPD’s leadership structure.
Please read our story in the @NYDailyNews covering our fight for fair pay! We will not give up until they #EndOurWageDisparityNOW!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We'll be at the Apollo TOMORROW to tell @NYCMayor that NYPD Sergeants deserve fair pay! Join us! #NYPDSergeantsDeserveFairPay… pic.twitter.com/fZwllWsJRw
— Sergeants Benevolent Association (@sbanypd) January 8, 2025
The Human Cost of Pay Disparity
The financial strain on NYPD sergeants is palpable, with many struggling to make ends meet despite their increased responsibilities. NYPD Sergeant Yahira Lopez-Gonzalez, a single mother of four, shared her personal challenge with the current pay structure.
“I’m a single mom with four kids. I have a kid in college, and I cannot supervise all these officers making more money than me — and I have to be responsible for making all the decisions,” NYPD Sergeant Yahira Lopez-Gonzalez said.
This sentiment is echoed by many in the force, including Sergeant Tiffany Howell, who expressed frustration over the illogical pay structure. The current system sees newly promoted sergeants starting at about $98,000, reaching approximately $118,000 after five years, while some officers under their command earn upwards of $115,000.
A Long-Standing Issue Demanding Resolution
The pay disparity issue has its roots in unfair negotiation practices by the city dating back over 25 years. Despite increased responsibilities and demands placed on sergeants, the wage compression has persisted, discouraging officers from seeking promotion and potentially creating a future leadership void in the NYPD.
While Mayor Adams, with his background in the NYPD, has promised to advance negotiations with the SBA to address the pay gap, skepticism remains high among the ranks. The SBA has been negotiating with the Office of Labor Relations (OLR) to address these disparities, but progress has been slow, with OLR’s negotiation tactics described as “take it or leave it.”
The SBA has proposed solutions to address the pay disparity and is circulating a petition urging City Hall and Commissioner Campion to take action. However, recent negotiations have failed to yield results, with a five-hour meeting with the city Office of Labor Relations ending without an agreement.
As the standoff continues, the future of NYPD leadership hangs in the balance.
