The City of Webster Groves and the Eastern Missouri Coalition of Police, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 15, are pleased to jointly announce the execution and formal ratification of a comprehensive, multi-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Effective immediately and extending through June 30, 2028, this agreement represents an unyielding commitment by both city leadership and the law enforcement labor union to invest deeply in the municipality’s workforce, establish a standard of excellence for recruitment and retention, and continuously elevate the standard of safety for all residents, business owners, and visitors in Webster Groves.
By signing this CBA, we finalize the culmination of months of work and planning — all driven by our mutual vision for a better community. Negotiators worked diligently to match the operational realities of modern law enforcement with the city's long-term fiscal responsibility and commitment to community-centered public service.
People are also reading…
"This agreement is a critical step forward for our entire community. By working hand-in-hand with our officers, we have structured a CBA that honors their dedication while safeguarding the financial health of the City. This is a major investment in the very people who keep our neighborhoods safe, cohesive, and vibrant." — Laura Arnold, Mayor of the City of Webster Groves
Investing in workforce stability and recruitment
Amid a highly competitive and challenging national and local landscape for law enforcement personnel procurement, the newly ratified CBA delivers a competitive, forward-looking compensation package.
The cornerstone of the agreement is a structural wage readjustment designed to bring baseline and specialized compensation rates for Webster Groves police officers, sergeants, and lieutenants into the top tier of the municipal and county police departments in the region.
By establishing a competitive benefits package, the agreement positions Webster Groves as a definitive "employer of choice" for both academy graduates and experienced lateral-transfer officers. This expansion in market competitiveness is expected to mitigate staffing attrition, reduce costly vacancies, and cultivate a highly resilient, deeply experienced roster of sworn personnel who choose to dedicate their careers long-term to the Webster Groves community.
"Our officers serve this city with immense pride, and this contract demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the officers and the members of the police department. This process allowed us to achieve a collective bargaining agreement to push the department forward in becoming an industry leader. This competitive compensation and benefits package ensures we can retain our best officers and attract top-tier talent to protect Webster Groves. We look forward to a growing partnership with new city leadership and thank our FOP representation for their diligent work throughout this process." — Webster Groves Police Officers’ Association Collective Bargaining Committee
A safer and more engaged community
The operational and staffing stability driven by this contract directly translates to enhanced community safety and proactive policing. With a competitive CBA in place to retain and attract new employees, a well-staffed police department yields immediate, tangible dividends for Webster Groves neighborhoods, including:
- Optimized response times: Maximized shift coverage guarantees emergency and nonemergency calls are met with peak efficiency and operational readiness.
- Proactive traffic and property safety: Consistent staffing allows officers to dedicate proactive hours to targeted traffic safety enforcement and neighborhood property patrols, actively deterring crime before it manifests.
- Expanded community engagement: Relieved staffing constraints empower officers to step out of reactive emergency call cycles and participate in local business district events, school initiatives, neighborhood association meetings, and community-oriented policing programs that build deep mutual trust.
The City Council and FOP Lodge 15 leadership express their sincere gratitude to the community members of Webster Groves for their enduring support of local public servants. This CBA represents a balanced, forward-thinking investment that guarantees Webster Groves remains one of the safest, most stable, and exceptional places to live and work in the State of Missouri.
About the City of Webster Groves
The City of Webster Groves, Missouri, located in inner-ring southwest St. Louis County, is a vibrant, historic community of over 24,000 residents. Governed by a council-manager form of municipal administration, the city is renowned for its architectural heritage, top-rated schools, thriving business districts, and an active, engaged citizenry. Webster Groves continually strives to deliver exceptional municipal services, foster inclusive civic progress, and maintain safe, walkable neighborhoods for all.
About FOP Lodge 15
The Eastern Missouri Coalition of Police, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 15, represents hundreds of dedicated, professional law enforcement professionals across multiple municipal jurisdictions in the region. As a constituent lodge of the National Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 15 is committed to advancing the professional standing of law enforcement officers, fostering harmonious labor relations, advocating for fair working environments, and reinforcing strong partnerships with the communities its members are sworn to protect.
