‘Back the Blue Pay Act’ Approved by NC Senate
Proposal would provide $3,000 bonuses for state, local law enforcement officers
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, the N.C. Senate unanimously approved the "Back the Blue Pay Act," which creates a first-of-its-kind, state-funded bonus for state and local law enforcement officers and implements the Senate budget's law enforcement pay plan.
"Every morning, the hardworking men and women in law enforcement wake up and put their lives on the line to keep us safe," Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said. "This salary package represents the General Assembly's commitment to supporting and honoring those who protect us day in and day out."
The law enforcement bonus would provide a total of $3,000 over the biennium for state and local law enforcement officers.
Under this bill, correctional officers will receive a 6.5% raise, for a total raise of 8.9%, including step increases. Probation and Parole Officers will receive a total raise of 6.9%, including step increases. State law enforcement officers, State Capitol Police, and law enforcement officers within the Division of Marine Fisheries, Forestry, Parks, and Wildlife Resources, will also receive a 6.5% raise.
"This bill keeps our state law enforcement agencies competitive to recruit and retain highly qualified officers," Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. (R-Robeson) said. "Our state law enforcement agencies do incredible work morning, noon, and night, and this proposal doubles down on our support for them."
The bill allocates $10.9 million to standardize the experience-based law enforcement salary schedule and provide a 6.5% raise for sworn members of the State Highway Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE), who are included in this new salary schedule.
SBI and ALE officers moving back to this step schedule will result in an average salary increase of 14.4%, including step movement. State Highway Patrol officers will receive an average salary increase of 9.2%, including step movement. Juvenile Justice will receive $5.1 million recurring to implement increases to the salary schedule and an across-the-board salary increase to help with salary compression issues. Administrative employees at the State Bureau of Investigation will receive a 5.25% raise in the first year of the biennium.
"Our state law enforcement agencies play a vital role in supporting our local agencies in their times of need," Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke) said. "It's imperative that the General Assembly send a strong message to our law enforcement agencies that we've got their backs and value their dedication to keeping us safe."
The North Carolina National Guard will also receive $3 million nonrecurring over the biennium and $1.5 million recurring beginning in FY 2026-27 to provide recruitment and retention bonuses to its members. The bill also increases the Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Pension Fund benefit and the National Guard Pension Fund benefit.
Lastly, it increases the Line of Duty Death Benefit for public safety employees to $150,000.
"Our support for law enforcement officers goes far beyond just when they're on the force," Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) said. "For those that make the ultimate sacrifice, we're going to ensure that their loved ones are taken care of and their memory is never forgotten."
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