LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Government (LMG) and the River City Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) have agreed on a short-term contract, Mayor Greg Fischer announced Tuesday. A resolution has been filed with Metro Council to formalize the agreement.

The contract, Fischer said, provides a salary increase and change in benefits, which he said are "necessary to have the most talented force possible – helping to retain good officers actively being courted by other agencies, and to draw more quality applicants, including more minority applicants."

The contract will only last until June 30, 2021. Fischer said the city and FOP will begin negotiating a new agreement no later than Jan. 31, 2021, "reflective of our community's demand for reform," Fischer said.

"The loss of good officers, who can mentor our young officers, and the difficulty we have attracting a diverse pool of applicants are pressing issues that we needed to address to maintain public safety," the mayor continued.

Fischer also reminded that between now and the contract's expiration, the city will have completed the top-to-bottom review of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and will have hired a new permanent police chief. 

Fischer also said that because some police reform will require changes in state law, "we are asking the community to help us work with the General Assembly to act on those when its next legislative session begins in January."

"My commitment is to listen to the people and to make reforms to address the challenge of police legitimacy and trust, including steps to diversify LMPD to better represent the community it serves and to foster a culture that promotes transparency and accountability," said Fischer.