Arbitrator Catherine Harris’ decision, which affects 2,600 officers statewide, was received Friday, according to SHOPO officials.

SHOPO and representatives of Hawai'i’s four counties had been negotiating for about a year and had been waiting for Harris’ decision since their final session in late June.

The new contract calls for 4 percent across-the-board increases each year from July 1, 2003, through July 1, 2006.

"We feel good but not satisfied," SHOPO President Tenari Ma'afala said of the decision. "The officers deserve more."

Honolulu has the largest police department in the state with 1,900 officers. Finding the money to pay for the new contract will be difficult, said City Council Budget Chairwoman Ann Kobayashi.

"Historically, the council has agreed with arbitrated contracts," Kobayashi said. "We know there’s a problem with police officers being underpaid and understaffed. But the question is can we find the money?"

All officers, from recruits to lieutenants, will get the 4 percent raises under Harris’ decision. But the amounts differ depending on rank and years of experience.

The base pay of an entry-level recruit (up to three years of service) as of July 2002 was $33,408 while a lieutenant with 22-plus years in HPD was earning $61,572.

"I think we did well considering the state of the economy,"James "Kimo" Smith, SHOPO’s O'ahu chapter chairman, said of the decision.

Smith said O'ahu was seeking increases up to 10 percent a year to bring the pay scale in Hawai'i up to West Coast levels. "But we’re dealing with four separate counties so it was difficult," Smith said.

Smith acknowledged that not everyone is happy with the new contract. "The health benefits is a sore point with most officers," he said.

Under the arbitrated decision, police officers will continue to pay 40 percent of the health insurance premiums, with management contributing 60 percent. The 60-40 split was legislated two years ago.

Ma'afala said the union will lobby for a change in legislation for the health plan in two years.

Mayor Jeremy Harris and police chief Lee Donohue were unavailable for comment.

SHOPO’s previous arbitrated contract, which expired in June 2003, gave police officers raises of about 14.5 percent over four years.