Wilmington City Council approves police union contract

Police in Wilmington are looking at a shift increase and benefit contributions now that city council has passed a one-year contract agreement with the union.

Shifts will increase to 12 hours, and up to seven additional officers will patrol each hour.

Though concerns about extended shifts worried some, Wilmington Master Cpl. Mike Lawson, president of Wilmington’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1, told the News Journal he’s pleased with the outcome.

The contract also increases officers’ contributions to health and dental benefits, and will maintain a 2.5 percent pay increase next year instead of this year.

City officials said the contract’s fiscal impact is estimated at $551,000 for the current budget year and $143,000 for next budget year.