Wichita City Council members deferred action Tuesday on an agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police for a bonus to be provided to police officers.

A memorandum of understanding with the FOP Lodge 5 called for a $5,000 bonus for officers, as a way to help with retention and recruiting.

Mayor Brandon Whipple wanted to delay action to December when the Council will consider a new contract with the FOP, and the discussion can be held in a broader context. He wants to know more about the city’s new police contract and potential police department reforms from the report completed earlier this year by the Jensen Hughes consulting firm.

The vote to defer action was 4 to 3, with Council Members Bryan Frye, Jeff Blubaugh and Becky Tuttle voting no.

The FOP issued a statement expressing disappointment with the Council vote:

The bonus was agreed upon under good faith by the FOP, WPD command, and (City Manager) Robert Layton. The bonus was an unconditional offer, showing the City’s appreciation to the Officers for all their hard work and for working the streets shorthanded. The bonus was never tied to the Jensen Hughes study but that was being addressed in the early opening of the contract. We have worked with the City and Wichita Police Department Leadership to address all the issues brought forth in the Jensen Hughes study.

The Wichita Police department is in a staffing crisis and is over 108 commissioned personnel down, and has over 130 commissioned personnel who can retire at any time. The Officers have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of our community, even in the face of many challenges.

The FOP said the actions in the Council meeting appeared to be personal, and those actions have undermined the process and caused lower morale and frustration with the union members.

The bonus issue is expected to be back on the agenda for the City Council on December 19th.