SAN ANTONIO — The City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Police Officers Association (SAPOA) reached a tentative contract agreement on July 16, 2026. The deal would cost the city approximately $102.2 million over three years and requires ratification by both SAPOA members and the San Antonio City Council to take effect.

City Manager Erik Walsh said the agreement aligns with the city’s goal of keeping San Antonio among the top three Texas cities in total police compensation. "Our goal was to keep San Antonio among the top three Texas cities in total police compensation, and this agreement accomplishes that," Walsh stated. He added that finalizing the deal before the fiscal year 2027 budget proposal allows for clearer financial planning, noting, "Reaching an agreement before the FY 2027 budget is proposed also gives us a clear understanding of the costs as we prepare for next year." The city plans to present its draft budget to the council on August 13, 2026.

Under the tentative terms, a new officer hired on October 1, 2026, would start at $68,053, up from the current starting salary of $65,436. By April 1, 2029, the starting pay for rookies would rise to $76,959. For senior officers, a police captain currently earning $139,152 at Step C would see that increase to $144,693 if the contract is approved before October 1, with a further rise to $163,629 by April 1, 2029.

SAPOA President Johnny Perez called the deal a "fair compromise for both sides" and emphasized that negotiations were focused on fair compensation for officers. "Every conversation at that negotiation table was rooted in one goal: to ensure our officers receive the fair pay and benefits they’ve earned for selflessly protecting our city," Perez said. He also noted, "We’re looking forward to presenting this to our members to formally ratify the agreement." SAPOA, which represents 2,600 officers, is responsible for educating members about the contract and answering questions before a vote, a process that could take two to three weeks.

Negotiations began in late January 2026 and had already resolved non-monetary issues like hours of work before the July 16 agreement. Talks paused in April 2026 after the union rejected a prior city offer, which the union’s former president called a "slap in the face." The previous labor agreement was set to expire on September 30, 2026. If the new deal is not approved by that date, an evergreen clause would extend the current contract’s terms for up to eight years.

The tentative agreement reflects a significant financial commitment by the city amid ongoing efforts to retain and recruit officers in a competitive statewide labor market. The city’s offer evolved from an initial $63 million proposal in April 2026 to $76 million later that month, then $90 million in late June, before landing at the final $102.2 million figure. Though the union had sought a 20.5% total pay increase over three years, the city’s final offer provides a 14.8% raise.