The definition of “salary of a first-class patrolman or first-class firefighter” was modified effective July 1, 2021.
Prior to July 1, 2021, the definition of the “salary of a first-class patrolman or first-class firefighter” was the “base salary of a patrolman or firefighter plus all longevity increases, if provided by the employer for service of twenty (20) years or less …”—IC 36-8-1-11.
The July 1, 2021 change modified this definition to specify that the “salary of a first-class patrolman or first-class firefighter” is “the highest nonpromoted salary of a patrolman or firefighter plus all longevity increases, if provided by the employer for: (1) service of not more than twenty (20) years; or (2) service of more than twenty (20) years but less than twenty-five (25) years if provided as a result of the meet and confer process under IC 36-8-22 …”—IC 36-8-1-11.
However, under the new law effective July 1, 2021, an employer is not required to decrease a certified salary of a first-class patrolman or firefighter that was in effect on May 14, 2021. If an employer had a certified first-class patrolman or firefighter salary in effect on May 14, 2021, that is greater than the highest non-promoted salary as provided under the new law, the unit may maintain the higher certified first-class patrolman or firefighter salary. The employer in this case may not increase that certified salary until the highest non-promoted salary as provided under the new law exceeds the salary in effect on May 14, 2021.