Police officers in Vancouver have ratified a new, three-year contract with wage hikes of just under nine per cent over the life of the deal.
Vancouver city council, which oversees the city's police board, has also approved the terms.
The 33-month deal for 1,470 officers, jail guards and special constables is retroactive to April 1, 2010 and expires on Dec. 31, next year.
It contains wage hikes of 2.95 per cent in the first two years and an increase of 2.55 per cent in the final year.
A release issued by the police board says the contract is similar to settlements achieved by other major Canadian police departments such as the York Regional Police Service in Ontario.
Mayor Gregor Robertson, who is chairman of the police board, says he's pleased the two sides reached an agreement that respects taxpayers as well as the hard work performed daily by members of the police department.
