Atlantic City Police Contract Talks Stall Again as Union Warns Officers Are Leaving for Better-Paying Departments

PBA Local 24 says negotiations with Mayor Marty Small's administration remain unresolved, raising concerns about police recruitment, retention and the city's financial future.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic City police officers remain without a new labor contract after another round of negotiations failed to produce an agreement Thursday, November 5, with union representatives warning that the department continues to lose officers to higher-paying police agencies elsewhere in Atlantic County.

The latest bargaining session brought together representatives of Atlantic City Police Benevolent Association Local 24, Mayor Marty Small Sr.'s administration and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

Despite renewed discussions, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.

The dispute has become an increasingly contentious issue involving police compensation, employee retention and uncertainty over Atlantic City's future casino tax revenue.

The union's previous contract expired December 31, 2025, leaving officers working without a successor agreement for more than 10 months.

Union Says Atlantic City Is Losing Officers

Following Thursday's meeting, the union publicly expressed frustration with the lack of progress.

“Sadly, the City of Atlantic City, along with Mayor Small, are still unwilling to prioritize the hard-working officers of the ACPD,” the union said in comments reported by Downbeach Buzz.

PBA representatives said the city's compensation structure has made it increasingly difficult to retain experienced officers and compete with neighboring police departments.

“We continue to lose new and seasoned officers to higher paying departments in Atlantic County,” the union said.

The union also argued that Atlantic City officers should not rank among the lowest-paid police officers in the county.

The concern extends beyond individual salaries.

When experienced officers leave for other agencies, police departments can face additional recruiting and training costs while losing personnel familiar with local neighborhoods, businesses and public safety challenges.

Atlantic City presents a particularly demanding policing environment because of its casinos, entertainment venues, Boardwalk attractions and large seasonal visitor population.

However, the union has not publicly provided a verified count of officers who have left specifically because of compensation during the current contract dispute.

A complete comparison of Atlantic City police salaries with neighboring departments also was not available from the latest bargaining session.

Negotiations Resume but Produce No Agreement

Contract discussions between Atlantic City and PBA Local 24 previously broke down in February.

The parties subsequently returned to negotiations with assistance from the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association.

Representatives from the state Department of Community Affairs also participated in Thursday's discussions.

The state has maintained a significant role in Atlantic City's finances since assuming broad oversight of the municipal government in 2016.

Although the city has made progress toward greater financial stability, state involvement continues to influence budgeting and labor negotiations.

The latest meeting did not produce a new contract, and no publicly confirmed date for another bargaining session was immediately available.

The union described the outcome as disappointing.

“It's not a great day for the Atlantic City Police Department,” the union said.

Casino Tax Uncertainty Complicates Negotiations

One of the major issues surrounding the contract dispute is uncertainty over the future of Atlantic City's casino payment-in-lieu-of-taxes program, commonly known as PILOT.

Under the program, Atlantic City's casino properties make payments calculated under a special state law rather than paying conventional property taxes on their casino facilities.

The arrangement has provided a framework for casino taxation while affecting the revenue available to Atlantic City and other government entities.

The current program is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026, creating uncertainty about how casino-related revenues will be calculated and distributed in future years.

The union said the city has been waiting for action by state lawmakers on the casino PILOT legislation before making longer-term financial commitments.

“Everyone in the City is waiting on the State Legislature's casino pilot bill to pass so the City can plan their budgets ahead,” the union said.

That uncertainty has implications beyond the Police Department.

Municipal officials must account for future revenue when negotiating multiyear labor agreements, establishing employee compensation and planning operating expenses.

For police officers, however, the absence of a long-term agreement means continued uncertainty about future salaries and benefits.

The union maintains that the city should place a greater priority on police compensation despite the unresolved state legislation.

City Previously Offered $5,000 Police Stipend

Atlantic City's financial challenges were evident earlier this year when the Small administration presented its 2026 municipal budget.

In May, the city announced a budget totaling approximately $283.8 million, including grants.

The administration initially proposed a municipal property tax reduction, but state officials required a 2% tax increase as a condition of the city's transitional aid arrangements.

At the time, Small expressed frustration with the state's decision.

“This is not the news we hoped to deliver today, but some factors are beyond my control and this is one of them,” the mayor said in the city's May 6 budget announcement.

The city also announced several employee compensation measures.

Beginning July 1, the minimum salary for municipal employees was scheduled to increase from $31,200 to $35,000.

Instead of annual raises, city employees were offered a one-time $3,500 stipend.

Police officers were separately offered a one-time $5,000 stipend, subject to acceptance, as part of a proposed one-year arrangement.

The city explicitly connected those measures to uncertainty surrounding the casino PILOT legislation.

The announcement did not establish a new multiyear police contract, and Thursday's unsuccessful negotiations demonstrate that the broader labor dispute remains unresolved.

It was not immediately clear whether all eligible police officers accepted or received the proposed stipend.

PBA President Calls for Competitive Contract

Atlantic City PBA Local 24 President Albert Floriani has emphasized the importance of providing officers with competitive compensation and adequate support.

In a message published on the union's website, Floriani described his commitment to advocating for officers while strengthening the relationship between police and the community.

Floriani, an Atlantic City native and longtime officer, said he has spent more than two decades serving the city, including 19 years assigned to patrol.

He said one of his priorities as union president is ensuring that officers receive a fair and competitive contract.

The union represents officers who provide public safety services to Atlantic City's residents, businesses and visitors.

Its concerns about staffing and compensation come as city officials continue efforts to strengthen public safety and encourage additional tourism and redevelopment investment.

Public Safety and Economic Development Intersect

The unresolved police contract comes at a time when Atlantic City's future is receiving renewed attention from major investors and political leaders.

On Thursday, South Jersey businessman George Norcross discussed his vision for redeveloping the former Trump Plaza property and creating a broader entertainment district near the Atlantic City Expressway.

During an interview on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, Norcross emphasized that improving public safety and the public's perception of safety would be essential to the city's long-term success.

“You've got to focus on public safety, making sure that when you walk on that Boardwalk, there's a tremendous public safety presence, your family, your children,” Norcross said.

“It's got to get cleaned up. It's got to look beautiful.”

Norcross also acknowledged the difference between actual crime conditions and the way visitors perceive the city.

“I'm not suggesting Atlantic City is unsafe, but I think people think it's unsafe,” he said.

“That's part of public perception.”

His comments were not directed specifically at the police contract negotiations, but they underscore the importance of maintaining a stable police force as Atlantic City pursues additional investment and tourism growth.

For the union, competitive salaries and officer retention are central to that effort.

For city officials, the challenge is balancing those priorities against the financial constraints and uncertainty affecting the municipal budget.

What Happens Next?

With no agreement reached Thursday, Atlantic City's police contract negotiations remain unresolved.

The union continues to call for compensation that will allow the department to compete with neighboring police agencies and retain experienced personnel.

The city, meanwhile, faces uncertainty over future casino PILOT revenues and the potential financial commitments associated with a multiyear labor agreement.

Several questions remain unanswered, including how far apart the parties are on salary proposals, how many officers have left the department in recent years and when negotiations will resume.

The Small administration's specific response to the union's latest accusations was not available in the reporting reviewed for this story.

For now, Atlantic City police officers continue working without a new contract as the dispute approaches its 11th month.

And with state lawmakers still confronting the future of the casino PILOT program, the disagreement may prove difficult to resolve without greater certainty about the city's finances.