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Council raises police signing bonuses as staff warns of critical vacancies
Summary
Yreka City Council adopted Resolution 2026-11 to raise academy and lateral signing bonuses and create a referral bonus after staff warned the police department could fall to roughly 50% staffing by May without hires.
The Yreka City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-11 on March 3 to increase sworn officer signing bonuses and add a referral incentive as city staff warned of multiple imminent vacancies at the Yreka Police Department.
Interim City Manager John Ellen introduced the item and Lieutenant Dirkson outlined staffing and the recommended incentive changes. Dirkson said the department is budgeted for 16 full-time sworn officers (including command staff) but currently has two vacant positions and two officers out on medical or other leave, creating coverage gaps. He warned that with upcoming departures — an additional officer leaving March 6, a sergeant retiring March 11 and a detective leaving later in March — the department could be reduced to roughly 50% of full staffing by May, creating challenges in maintaining timely 24/7 coverage.
Staff said the current signing bonus for academy graduates is $5,000 and laterals receive a $5,000 base plus additional amounts for prior years of service. The council packet recommended increasing the academy graduate bonus to $7,500 and the lateral signing bonus to $10,000, with the potential to distribute up to $25,000 over three years for very experienced lateral hires (paid in installments tied to field training and year-based probation milestones). Staff also proposed a $2,500 referral bonus for current employees whose recruits complete field training and probation.
Council members asked whether the city could afford the increase and how long officers typically remain after receiving bonuses. Ellen said current vacancy-related savings and the cost of overtime versus full benefits made the increased incentive fiscally defensible in his view, and Dirkson said retention patterns varied; some officers serve decades while others move on after a short time. Council member discussion emphasized that the bonuses are one-time, spread payments meant to improve recruitment and retention rather than permanent pay increases.
Council Member Baker moved and Council Member Middleton seconded adoption of Resolution 2026-11 amending the city's personnel rules for sworn officer signing bonuses; the motion passed by unanimous roll-call vote.
The resolution directs staff to implement the revised bonus structure and establishes the payment schedule tied to training and probation milestones. Council members noted the action does not include broader ongoing pay increases and signaled future discussions will be needed on compensation and staffing strategy.
