Police Union Sues Allentown Council Over DROP

Allentown's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10 has sued City Council over its delay in adopting a deferred retirement program for officers.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Unions

Police Union Sues Allentown Council Over DROP

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Allentown Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10 filed a lawsuit against Allentown City Council after the council has not enacted the ordinance needed to implement a deferred retirement option program (DROP). The council voted to hire an outside attorney instead of the city solicitor to represent it in the case.

Why it matters

The suit alleges the council is interfering with a collective bargaining agreement that Mayor Matt Tuerk signed with the union in February. The dispute sits at the intersection of labor authority, city finances and staffing for the Allentown police force.

The mayor signed a DROP agreement with the union in February 2026, but City Council has not passed the required ordinance. Council president Santo Napoli has cited uncertainty about the program's cost as the reason for the delay, and that cost remains undetermined.

The players

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10

The Allentown local of the national police labor organization, which filed the suit over the DROP ordinance delay.

Matt Tuerk

The mayor of Allentown, who signed the DROP agreement with the union in February and holds labor-relations authority under the city Charter.

Santo Napoli

The president of Allentown City Council, who delayed action on DROP until an independent financial analysis was available.

Cynthia Mota

The vice president of Allentown City Council, who joined Napoli in stating the council will vigorously defend its legislative authority.

The details

Under the agreement, DROP would allow eligible officers to defer retirement while still earning pay, with the goal of keeping experienced officers on the force longer and filling open positions. The Charter gives labor-relations authority to the mayor, and council leaders say they will vigorously defend their legislative authority.

February 2026: Mayor Matt Tuerk signed the DROP agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police.
September 2026: Council president Santo Napoli delayed action pending an independent financial analysis.
November 4, 2026: City Council voted to hire an outside attorney to represent it in the lawsuit.

Legal Context

The dispute turns on the Allentown Charter's assignment of labor-relations authority to the mayor, which the council is now challenging through its legislative power. The outcome could clarify how far council legislative control extends into negotiated labor agreements in the city.

If the ordinance is passed, eligible Allentown officers could defer retirement while continuing to earn pay, which could affect how long experienced officers remain on the force. Until the council acts, the program's status for officers remains unsettled.

The takeaway

Labor agreements signed by a mayor can depend on council action before they take effect, so the status of such deals may remain uncertain until the legislative process is complete. Readers tracking the dispute should watch for the council's ordinance vote and the outcome of the lawsuit.