San Antonio Police Union Pauses Contract Talks After 'Slap in the Face' Pay Offer

The police union president says the city's proposed pay raise is unacceptable and devalues officers' dangerous work.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:09am

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A moody, cinematic painting of a lone police officer standing on a shadowy urban street, the warm light casting dramatic shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of isolation and contemplation.The tense contract negotiations between the San Antonio police union and city officials reflect the delicate balance cities must strike between fair compensation for officers and budgetary constraints.San Antonio Today

The San Antonio Police Officers Association (SAPOA) has paused contract negotiations with the city after rejecting a pay raise offer that the union president called a 'slap in the face.' The city's proposed 14% increase to the base wage for the lowest-ranking officers was far below the union's ask of a 25% raise. SAPOA President Danny Diaz said the offer 'devalues our officers and the dangerous work they do every day,' and the union is now waiting to see who will reach out first to resume talks.

Why it matters

Police contract negotiations are a closely watched issue, as cities balance the need to retain and attract quality officers with budgetary constraints. The breakdown in talks highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement unions and local governments over compensation and benefits.

The details

The city and SAPOA have been negotiating a new contract since late January, with both sides proposing a mix of hourly-rate and percentage-based pay raises. The city's latest offer would raise the base wage for the lowest-ranking San Antonio police officers from $65,431 to $74,970 by April 2029 — a 14% increase. However, the union has proposed raising those same officers' pay to $82,164 in the same timeframe, a 25% hike. Diaz said the city's counteroffer was unacceptable and the union is now 'pausing further discussions.'

  • The city and SAPOA have been negotiating a new contract since late January 2026.
  • The city presented its latest pay raise offer on April 11, 2026.

The players

Danny Diaz

The president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association (SAPOA).

Erik Walsh

The San Antonio City Manager, who indicated a desire to wrap up the contract negotiations before the city's upcoming budget process.

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What they’re saying

“Our phones have not been quiet. They've been ringing off the wall. And it's very loud and clear that that is a slap in the face, what they offered today.”

— Danny Diaz, SAPOA President

“I'm confident that both sides can continue to work through the remaining issues and provide certainty for our officers and the community. I believe it's critical to finalize the tentative agreement and understand all the costs in advance of the City preparing for the FY 2027 Budget process.”

— Erik Walsh, San Antonio City Manager

What’s next

It's unclear when the contract negotiations between the city and SAPOA will resume, as Diaz said the union is 'pausing further discussions' for now. The current contract runs through September, but an evergreen clause could keep its terms in place for another eight years if a new deal is not reached.

The takeaway

This breakdown in contract talks highlights the ongoing challenges cities face in balancing fair compensation for police officers with budgetary constraints. The tensions between law enforcement unions and local governments over pay and benefits remain a persistent issue that will likely require compromise and creative solutions to resolve.