LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – After months of negotiation, the new labor agreement between the Lincoln Police Department and the Lincoln Police Union has been approved by the city council.

The new agreement includes a 17% wage increase for officers over the next three years.

“We always want to make sure we are keeping up and paying people appropriately,” said a representative for LPD at Monday’s public hearing.

Additional increases include $3 dollars more an hour for LPD officers doing field training and an increase to special position pay.

Police Chief Michon Morrow described their intention behind the raises.

“The vast majority of these is to really ensure we’re providing a good environment in our work force,” she said.

The improvements did not stop at monetary changes, with an upgrade to LPD’s wellness program now allowing an additional thirty minutes of exercise for each officer during their forty-hour work week.

The contract also improved bereavement benefits.

An additional thirty two hours of bereavement leave will be allowed for officers serving on the same team and same shift as an officer who dies in the line of duty.

It’s in honor of former officer Mario Herrera who was killed in the line of duty five years ago while serving a warrant.

“After we loss investigator Mario Herrera, and wanting to respect the ability of those officers who served alongside him,” said Morrow. “Hopefully, we don’t have to use this provision, that is absolutely the goal, but we want to make sure we give them time to grieve and come back to work prepared to serve the community.”

Former police officer and current city council member Tom Duden thanked the police chief and her staff for the innovative ways they have improved the collective bargaining agreement.

“I think that’s why LPD is the best in the Midwest,” he said.

LPD’s new labor contract will be effective retroactively from August.