Lake Forest Police to use state retention grant for one‑time 3.5% bonuses, council authorizes use of funds

Lake Forest — The City Council authorized the Police Department to use a state recruitment and retention grant to provide one‑time retention bonuses to sworn officers. Chief John Burke told the council the department applied for slightly more than $142,000 and plans to use the funding for retention rather than recruitment. "In the application, we asked for just over $142,000," Burke said. "...we decided to give a one‑time 3.5% bonus for each officer, sergeant, and commander." He said the program is intended to increase stability in a competitive hiring market and that award recipients will remain employed with the department for an agreed period following the payment. City staff placed the grant authorization on the consent (omnibus) agenda; the consent motion passed by roll call with a unanimous vote on the night’s omnibus items. A city official noted the grant represents a one‑time state funding opportunity and the department will pursue other recruitment strategies separately. Chief Burke described the statewide hiring environment for sworn officers as highly competitive and said several larger departments were actively recruiting certified candidates. He said the grant required an application submitted in December and the department opted to use the award for retention to help hold staffing levels steady while recruiting continues. The council’s vote to authorize use of the grant funds was recorded as part of the omnibus consent items approved at the meeting.