As part of a new collective bargaining agreement, the City of South Bend reached a tentative wage agreement Thursday with the South Bend Fraternal Order of Police.

Mayor James Mueller said it’s important that the city pay its police officers a fair, just and competitive wage in order to become a national leader in 21st Century policing.

The agreement is contingent on the Common Council, who have scheduled a vote on the wage at Monday’s meeting.

Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski says the new wage contract will help the department attract and retain top-notch police officers.