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Mayor reads Maddox statement proposing pay raises and bonuses to recruit Tipton police
Summary
Chief David Maddox requested changes to the 2026 salary ordinance: reclassify reserve officers to part-time, raise hourly rate from $18.45 to $29.80, add a $1,500 one-time retention bonus for qualified patrol officers, and a $12/day FTO stipend; mayor read the statement and council approved first reading.
Mayor read a written statement from Chief David Maddox asking the council to approve three amendments to the 2026 salary ordinance to help recruitment and retention in the Tipton Police Department. The proposed changes include renaming 'police reserve officer' to 'part-time police officer' with an hourly range increase from $18.45 to $29.80, a one-time $1,500 retention bonus for qualified first-class patrol officers, and a $12-per-day field training officer stipend while actively training.
"'I'm requesting that the position title of police reserve officer be changed to part time police officer, that the hourly range be increased from $18.45 to $29.80... I'm requesting approval of a one-time $1,500 retention bonus for each qualified first class patrol officer... and a field training officer stipend of $12 per day,'" Mayor (reading Chief Maddox’s statement) said. Council members noted the changes fit within the department's existing 2026 budget and advanced the ordinance on first reading for further consideration.
Council members discussed urgency for recruiting part-time hires during the current staffing shortage and clarified the FTO stipend would be paid only when officers are actively serving as field training officers. The ordinance passed on first reading; further review will occur before final action.
