An agreement was reached between the Village of Arlington Heights and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, Arlington Heights Police Chapter No. 510, regarding a raise for police officers and hopefully an improved work schedule. While the situation observed at the time of the Village Board meeting looks optimistic in the way it was presented, there are possibly other issues with the Village of Arlington Heights that make working as a police officer more difficult than is necessary due to leadership and organization issues. Arlington Heights police officers have reportedly been displeased with their senior leadership, and have been overworked and forced to work overtime for the past several years, which could create unsafe working conditions. There have also been complaints of lack of organization, incidents of favoritism, and lack of provided necessary information from senior leaders.
Two surveys were conducted in the past couple of years.
CARDINAL NEWS submitted a FOIA request for the results of a recent survey that the Village of Arlington Heights conducted regarding police officers’ answers to multiple aspects of their job, involving the respect they perceive they get from leadership, and confidence in “Police Department Senior Leadership.” Instead of responding with the survey results, the Village of Arlington Heights responded with a copy of the original blank survey.
However, CARDINAL NEWS was able to obtain from another source a copy of the February 2025 police department survey results compiled by Polco, of Madison, Wisconsin, which is a research company dedicated to helping governments and communities with informed decision-making and meaningful civic engagement.
In the survey, 55% of police officers indicated they were “Not confident” in “Police Department Senior Leadership” and 43% indicated they were “Not confident” in “Village Leadership”.
Only 7% of police officers indicated they were “Very confident” in “Police Department Senior Leadership” and only 6% indicated they were “Very confident” in “Village Leadership”.
Regarding “communicating information that helps employees understand the problems and issue (sic) facing the Village”, 65% percent of police officers rated this issue as “Poor”.
Sixty percent of police officers gave a “Poor” rating regarding the Village of Arlington Heights “Providing a clear vision for our organization”.
Sixty-nine percent gave a “Poor” rating regarding “Speed of response to important issues or change”.
Fifty-seven percent gave a “Poor” rating regarding “Openness to new ideas and initiatives.”
The “Connection between compensation and performance” was rated poor by 53% of police officers in Arlington Heights.
At the Village Board Meeting Monday night, October 20, 2025, all appeared good as Trustee Bill Manganaro said collaboration is what he really appreciates “about the leadership of this village, about the folks who are working so hard to make it the great place that it is.” Manganaro made the statement just before the board members voted unanimously to the agreement of a raise and a change in scheduling of police officer hours.
Police officers working for the Village of Arlington Heights achieved a 3% raise, and were given a new work schedule, which is anticipated to offer a beneficial work-life balance, while maintaining high-quality services for the community. A decision by the Village Board of Arlington Heights approved the raise and the new schedule in a new one-year labor agreement at the board meeting Monday, October 20, 2025.
The work-life balance of police officers in the patrol bureau is anticipated to be enhanced by a new schedule consisting of a nine-hour work day that includes five days on-duty, and three days off-duty. Overtime will be paid for hours worked in excess of nine hours in a work day, or an excess of 147 hours in a 24-day cycle, per a Memorandum of Understanding.
The new schedule replaces the current 8½-hour work day schedule that includes six days on-duty, and three days off-duty.
The new schedule will take effect in February 2026, and is being established as a pilot program, as outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding between the Village of Arlington Heights and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, Arlington Heights Police Chapter No. 510. There is agreement that if village officials or union membership find dissatisfaction with the new schedule, the police department will revert to the current 2025 work schedule in 2027. All police officers will receive the 3% raise at the beginning of 2026.
Unfortunately, beyond the extended agreement for 2026, the monthly employee health insurance premium contribution will increase from 14% to 16% beginning in 2027.
Suggested advantages of the new work schedule include …
Improved overlap during shift changes,
additional time for police officers to follow up on administrative items, and
possibly a more enticing schedule that could improve recruitment efforts.
Currently there are 109 sworn police officers working for the Village of Arlington Heights. Eight new police officers were hired in 2025, and seven vacancies remain open.
Under a nine-step salary schedule, a rookie patrol officer earns $85,568 annually, while a veteran officer with the most experience is eligible for a maximum salary of $127,334 annually.
The Village board members’ vote was unanimous, agreeing to the Memorandum of Understanding with a one-year extension of the police collective bargaining agreement — both ratified by members of the union.
Mayor Jim Tinaglia and Trustee James Bertucci were absent.
The unanimous vote included ‘yes’ votes from seven village trustees …
Wendy Dunnington (seconded motion) – Yes
Colin Gilbert – Yes
Robin LaBedz (motioned) – Yes
Bill Manganaro – Yes
Carina Santa Maria – Yes
Thomas F. Schwingbeck Jr. (serving as president pro-temp) – Yes
Greg Zyck – Yes
Village Manager Randy Recklaus outlined the details of the agreement before the vote, and was complimentary of village personnel and the union bargaining team from the police department that creatively worked on the agreement.
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