Upper Burrell police contract includes 4% pay hikes

Upper Burrell police officers have a new five-year contract that includes a 4% increase in hourly wages annually.

The collective bargaining agreement, between the township and the Wage and Policy Committee of the Upper Burrell police department, takes effect Jan. 1, 2026 and expires Dec. 31, 2030.

“I’m happy with the contract,” said Supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III. “A lot of our police are underpaid. We’re trying to get our wages up with the increase.

“Police are undervalued. They are much more valuable than we understand. It’s a terribly dangerous job. Generally, they don’t get enough pay for the risks that they take every single day.

“Some of the very best people I’ve known in my life are police officers. I’m happy to give them the raise.”

Upper Burrell has two full-time officers, Chief Kenneth Pate and Patrolman Vincent Beaver; and one part-time officer, Chris Kovacs. Walker indicated Kovacs would likely be promoted to full-time officer soon.

Pate did not immediately return a request for comment.

A regular workweek for full-time employees consists of five 8-hour shifts.

Pate’s salary would go from $42.06 an hour in 2026 to $49.20 in 2030. The agreement also outlines a pay schedule for a sergeant and senior patrolmen. No one currently holds those positions.

A third-year patrol officer would make $33.30 an hour in 2026 and increase by 4% each year to $38.96 an hour in 2030. A second-year patrol officer would make $31.11 an hour in 2026 to $36.39 an hour in 2030; and a first-year patrol officer would start at $29.79 in 2026 and increase to $34.85 an hour in 2030.