Board adopts resolution to recoup officer training and outfit costs, citing Senate Bill 95
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Summary
At its Oct. 6 meeting the Greenwood Board of Public Works and Safety approved Resolution 25-14, authorizing the city to use contractual provisions to recoup recruitment, training and outfitting costs when officers leave within an initial period; the police chief said outfitting a new officer costs nearly $114,000 in the first year.
Greenwood’s Board of Public Works and Safety voted Oct. 6 to adopt Resolution 25-14, authorizing the city to recoup certain recruitment, training and outfitting costs when a newly hired police officer leaves the department within an initial, limited period. The resolution was presented during the board’s regular 5:30 p.m. meeting and passed on a voice vote after a short presentation by the police chief.
The resolution matters because of the cost the department described in bringing a new officer on board. “It costs nearly a $114,000 just for the first year to outfit a new officer,” Police Chief Fifer said during his presentation, and he described local and national “lateral incentives” that are drawing officers away from departments.
Chief Fifer told the board that the legislature recently approved Senate Bill 95 and that the bill permits departments to recoup certain costs through employment contracts and reimbursements when an officer leaves during an initial post‑hire period. In summarizing the bill he said it allows departments to “recoup the cost of training officers, outfitting them, salaries and benefits” if they leave within an initial period; he noted the city would require a contract on hire so recruits are aware of the terms before accepting employment.
A board member moved to approve Resolution 25-14, a second was given, and the board voted “aye.” No roll‑call vote was recorded in the meeting transcript; the board chair noted one member (Mr. Rutherford) was absent for the meeting.
The vote implements a contract‑based approach described by the chief; the resolution and any implementing employment agreements will be available through city records for public review. The chief did not specify the exact contractual repayment schedule or the administrative process for assessing the repayment when an officer departs; those details were not specified in the public presentation.
The board took no further public comment on the resolution during the meeting. The city’s next steps will be to finalize contract language and administrative procedures to implement the resolution and to publish those documents as required by city policy.
