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Cramerton police chief proposes $10,000 raises to curb turnover
Summary
Police Chief Adams proposed a flat $10,000 raise for each of the town’s 15 officers—an estimated $191,000 cost—to make the department more competitive with nearby agencies and reduce turnover; the board signaled support and will consider the proposal in the upcoming budget cycle.
Police Chief Adams urged Cramerton’s Board of Commissioners to adopt a flat $10,000 salary increase for each of the town’s 15 sworn officers to address a worsening retention problem.
Adams told the board that retention challenges have intensified and cited a nationwide 2024 survey from the International Association of Chiefs of Police that identified pay as the primary driver of departures. He estimated the proposal would cost approximately $191,000, including a 4% contribution to 401(k) plans, and said it would put Cramerton “on more competitive footing” with neighboring agencies that have been recruiting town officers.
The proposal prompted detailed budget questions from commissioners. Town Manager Zach Ollis estimated the amount would represent roughly 13% of the department’s salary budget, a figure board members asked staff to verify before finalizing any changes. Commissioners also sought assurances the raise would not upend rank differentials; Chief Adams said the distribution would be managed to preserve the pay structure between officers and sergeants.
Board members and staff discussed operational effects tied to vacancies. Adams said the department is short three officers, which has required reassigning administrative and investigative staff to cover patrol and has strained the department’s ability to pursue community-policing goals. He also confirmed the department’s overtime budget has been used to fill gaps but remains sufficient. On fleet purchases, Adams said the department would not request $222,500 for new patrol vehicles this year because some vehicles sit unused due to vacancies; he added the town has ordered six replacement vehicles that will arrive in the coming months.
Mayor Nelson Wills framed the budget trade-offs: “Just to put things into perspective, $200,000 represents about two cents on our tax rate,” and noted police account for about 30% of the town’s annual budget. The board indicated support for prioritizing officer retention and tasked staff with running precise budget figures and incorporating the proposal into the upcoming budget discussions.
The board did not take a formal vote on the pay adjustment at the workshop; next steps include staff verification of the fiscal impact and formal consideration during the budget process.
