Spring Valley and Police Union Reach Historic Six-Year Contract Agreement

By Rockland Daily Staff

The Spring Valley Police Department, one of the busiest in Rockland County, has been serving the village since 1966. Its officers respond to thousands of calls each year, from neighborhood disputes to major emergencies, working day and night to keep the community safe. In 2024 alone, the department handled 85,572 calls, reflecting the wide range of situations it responds to across the village.

The Village Board has approved a new six-year contract with the Spring Valley Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, the union representing local officers. The department’s total budget now stands at about $11.5 million, with the new agreement adding more than half a million dollars to cover updated salaries, benefits, and staffing. The budget reflects the department’s growing workload.

The new contract follows months of discussions between the Village Board and the police union. Among the updates are yearly salary increases and a new language stipend for officers who speak Spanish, Creole, Yiddish, or Hebrew. It also includes adjustments for specific duties and training, helping ensure the department remains strong, well-staffed, and equipped to meet the rising number of calls.

“I am extremely proud of our Spring Valley community and of the dedicated men and women who work hard striving to protect it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week", Chief Richard Oleszczuk told Rockland Daily.

Trustee Sruly Eisenbach said, “this was a long process of negotiations between the Union and the Village board subcommittee. 

Not always are both sides happy with a contract, but overall, this contract is fair for the village taxpayers and fair for the PBA as well.” 

Trustee Eisenbach also noted that an important clause was placed into the contract wherein the busy summer months a regular policeman wouldn’t be pulled off the streets to serve as dispatcher — rather they would be replaced by another officer that doesn't count for minimum staffing, so will have another officer on the road. 

For residents, the most visible change may simply be the same reliable police presence they’re used to.