WA police cop modest pay rise

The West Australian Police Union (WAPOU) has conceded the state government's tough financial situation and accepted a modest pay rise after months of heated negotiations.

But union president George Tilbury has flagged members will expect more flexibility during the next round of wage negotiations.

WAPOU said 85 per cent of respondents voted in favour of the deal, which gives officers a 2.75 per cent per annum initial increase and a 2.5 per cent per year rise over the following two years with no trade-offs.

"Initially, the government came for our hard earned conditions and only offered a basic CPI (consumer price index) pay rise," Mr Tilbury said.

"We were able to argue to retain all of our conditions and ensure we were offered an adjusted CPI increase for the first year.

"We expect the government to acknowledge the responsible position taken by police officers and seek flexibility during the next round of negotiations."

The union had threatened industrial action earlier this year after the state government indicated police would not be exempt from the Workforce Reform Bill, which passed parliament in May and caps public sector salary increases in line with inflation.

But the union backed down late last month after the government presented the amended offer.

The CPI, or inflation rate, for the March quarter was 2.9 per cent.