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Police chief says pay compression is undermining lieutenants; committee backs request for fourth police admin position pending finance review
Summary
Police Chief Hostens told the Human Resources Committee that pay compression — where sergeants earn as much or more than lieutenants — is hurting recruitment, retention and promotion. The committee voted 3-0 to recommend adding a fourth police administrative assistant position to the Finance & Property Committee for funding review.
Police Chief Hostens told the Wisconsin Rapids Human Resources Committee that salary compression in the police department — in some cases leaving sergeants making more than lieutenants — is a “public safety capacity” problem that is discouraging promotions and threatening operational leadership.
“It’s not simply a compensation discussion. This is a public safety capacity issue,” the chief said, arguing that when base pay for supervisory and command ranks converges, the department loses incentives for sergeants to accept promotion and the city risks losing experienced lieutenants.
The chief cited both 2025 and 2026 supplemental county and municipal aid under the 2023 Act 12…
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