Atlantic City, Police Union Fail to Reach Deal

Talks between the city and the Atlantic City PBA Local 24 ended Thursday without a new police contract.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Weathered brick civic building facade on a quiet street with a bare flagpole and faint ocean horizon beyond the rooftops. — Talks between the city of Atlantic City and its police union ended Thursday without a new contract, with the union's agreement expired since December 31. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Atlantic City PBA Local 24 and the city failed to agree on a new police contract at Thursday's bargaining session. The union's contract has been expired since December 31.

Why it matters

The dispute comes as officers are reportedly leaving for higher-paying departments in Atlantic County, and as the city faces uncertainty over the casino payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement ending this year.

The Atlantic City PBA Local 24 has been without a contract since December 31, and talks that broke down in February were revived with state PBA facilitation. No agreement was reached at Thursday's session, and the next steps in negotiations were not specified.

The players

Atlantic City PBA Local 24

The local Police Benevolent Association representing Atlantic City police officers in contract negotiations with the city.

New Jersey State PBA

The statewide Police Benevolent Association that facilitated the return of the local union and the city to the bargaining table.

The details

The union and the city met with representatives from the state Department of Community Affairs present after the state PBA facilitated a return to the table. The union said the city is waiting for the outcome of the casino PILOT agreement before finalizing budget plans, and said the city has shown it is unwilling to prioritize Atlantic City police officers.

December 31: Atlantic City PBA Local 24's contract expired.
February: Contract talks broke down.
2021: The PILOT law was revised, cutting casino tax payments by about $55 million a year.
Thursday: Bargaining session ended without an agreement.
This year: The casino PILOT agreement is scheduled to end.

Legal Context

The 2021 revision of New Jersey's casino PILOT law removed online betting from gross gaming revenue and cut casino payments by about $55 million a year. That change now frames the city's uncertain budget as the agreement nears its scheduled end this year.

Residents may see continued uncertainty about police staffing as officers leave for higher-paying departments in Atlantic County. The unresolved contract and the expiring casino PILOT agreement could affect city budgets and public safety planning.

The takeaway

Labor disputes like this one can leave local police departments short-staffed while city budgets depend on uncertain revenue sources. Tracking how the PILOT agreement and the union contract are resolved will show whether Atlantic City can retain its officers.