Proposed Side Letter of Agreement
City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Peace Officers’ Association Effective July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028
City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Peace Officers’ Association Proposed Side Letter of Agreement: July 1, 2026 – July 30, 2028 The City of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Peace Officers’ Association (PAPOA) mutually agree to amend the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) effective July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028 to incorporate the following changes to Section 45. Hiring Incentives:
Section 45. Hiring Incentives
Qualified lateral Officers, who have a current basic or higher POST certificate, hired during the term of this agreement may upon City Manager approval:
(a) Accrue vacation leave at a beginning rate equal to the rate they were earning at their previous employer, subject to a maximum of one hundred sixty (160) hours per year with progression to higher accrual rates as provided in Section 27, Vacation Accrual; and (b) Begin their employment with the City with a sick leave balance not to exceed ninety-six (96) hours.
(c) Receive a hiring incentive. Any future hiring incentive program will be discussed with the Association prior to implementation and the Department will reasonably consider any recommendations from the Association regarding internal referral programs to be utilized in conjunction with that program.From July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028 or the adoption of the successor MOA whichever is later, the City Manager may authorize a hiring incentive for qualified lateral officers including but not limited to: a cash incentive, a bank of vacation hours, a bank of deferred compensation, or relocation expenses. Hiring incentives must be funded through department salary savings.
(d) Lateral Officers returning to the Palo Alto Police Department must have been separated from the City for a minimum of two (2) years to be eligible for this incentive program (e) Based on years of service, level of experience, and educational achievement, experienced lateral Officers may receive a starting salary at any appropriate level within the “Police Officer” classification as deemed appropriate by the City Manager on recommendation of the Chief of Police.
Palo Alto Peace Officers’ Association City of Palo Alto ________________________________
Sgt. Chris Correira Date
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Sgt. Joshua Waldorph Date
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Tori Post, Manager Employee & Labor
Relations Date
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Chief James Reifschneider Date
City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Peace Officers’ Association Proposed Side Letter of Agreement: July 1, 2026 – July 30, 2028 ________________________________
Sandra Blanch, HR Director Date
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Jennifer Fine, Deputy City Attorney Date
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Ed Shikada, City Manager Date