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Commissioners raise concern over police recruitment despite pay increases
Summary
Commissioners discussed ongoing officer shortages and recruiting challenges; officials said retention improved after raising starting pay from about $32,000 to over $54,000 but that recruitment remains difficult and the department is still short officers.
Commissioners and public-safety committee members told the commission they remain concerned about recruiting new police officers even as pay increases have helped retain staff. "Just 6 short years ago, we had a starting salary of around $32,000 and... that new starting salary is over 54,000," one official said when describing the pay changes intended to improve retention.
Commissioner Collins said the department had been about 15 officers short at one point and that overtime and other measures were used to cover shifts. Other committee members said crime numbers were down and praised the department's leadership, but several speakers stressed that attracting new recruits remains a challenge and that community partnerships and outreach events may help. The commission declined to take immediate new policy action other than to continue recruitment efforts and keep the item under discussion.
