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Council authorizes presentation of police hiring incentive to union after department reports only three applicants
Summary
After the Carlisle Police Department reported receiving three applications for a recent posting, the council authorized Chief Matt Koch to present a proposed Memorandum of Understanding offering $15,000 for certified hires or $7,500 for non-certified hires, paid over three years and prorated.
The Carlisle City Council on May 26 authorized Police Chief Matt Koch to pursue a hiring-incentive Memorandum of Understanding with the union after Koch reported low applicant numbers for a recent job posting.
Koch told council the department received only three applications for the posting and recommended an incentive structure to improve recruitment: $15,000 for certified officers, $7,500 for non-certified hires, paid over three years and prorated. City Administrator Deven Markley said staff expects the union would be receptive based on past agreements. A motion by Andrya Carter, seconded by Cataldo, gave Chief Koch authority to present the proposed MOU to the union; the motion carried unanimously (4-0).
Why it matters: smaller applicant pools for police openings can prolong vacancies and affect public safety coverage; the incentive is designed to make Carlisle more competitive in recruiting.
The MOU language presented at the meeting would permit a pro-rated payout over three years; Markley said the city will negotiate terms with the union. Council did not adopt the MOU at the meeting — it authorized presentation and negotiation with labor representatives.
Next steps: Chief Koch will confer with union negotiators to draft and finalize terms for a future council action if an agreement is reached.
