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Speakers urge higher Mesquite police pay and highlight police association charities at council forum
Summary
During the citizens forum, public speakers urged the city to raise police pay to retain officers and described the Mesquite Police Association Charities' community programs and events, including scholarships, Narcan distribution and an upcoming softball complex reopening.
At the March 17 Mesquite City Council citizens forum, speakers called for higher police compensation to counteract turnover and described ongoing charitable programs run by the Mesquite Police Association Charities.
Jane Bishkin, general counsel for the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, told council members that a salary survey from the Mesquite Police Association showed Mesquite ranks lowest for police pay compared with surrounding cities listed in the survey (Arlington, Carrollton, Garland, Grand Prairie, Irving, Plano and Richardson). Bishkin said low pay leads to turnover, loss of institutional knowledge, increased overtime costs, and staffing shortages that affect public safety; she urged the council to act to bring pay in line with neighboring departments.
Speakers representing the Mesquite Police Association Charities described charitable efforts and community events. Bruce Sells summarized the charity’s work since 2019, noting more than $300,000 raised for local and regional causes, distribution of 500 doses of Narcan to police officers and jail staff, temporary housing and transportation for victims, autism‑awareness initiatives (more than 1,000 decals distributed and partnerships with special education), scholarships for students and an Officer Richard Houston Memorial Scholarship. Luke Kristofferson, vice president of the Mesquite Police Association, announced the March 29 grand reopening of the Travis Williams softball complex, with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. and a modified coed softball tournament; proceeds will go to Mesquite Police Association Charities.
Other citizens spoke in support of maintaining pay parity between police and firefighters and commended joint charity efforts involving both departments. No council action was taken immediately; the comments were made during the public‑comment portion of the meeting.
