12 - Certified Police Officer Hiring Incentive

Home Browse Search

Item No. 12 TO: City Council John Godwin, City Manager FROM: Bob Hundley, Chief of Police SUBJECT: CERTIFIED OFFICER HIRING INCENTIVE DATE: May 7, 2018 BACKGROUND: The police department continues to experience difficulties in finding qualified individuals for officer positions. I would like to attempt a recruitment effort by allowing for a `hiring incentive' for certified officers. I am proposing a $5000.00 payment for a certified officer with a minimum of one year of experience. That would be paid out in a series of payments, $2000.00 payment upon hiring, $1000.00 at the end of the FTO program and the final $2000.00 upon completing the probationary period. Any money paid into the incentive would be required to be paid back if the officer leaves the department in the first three years of employment. STATUS OF ISSUE: We have given the third entrance examination since November of 2017 with less than stellar results. We have one hire from these tests. We have three openings at present and are expecting 2 more shortly. Certified officers are in great demand and this may or may not help fill vacancies. If we garner just one or two good officers, it is worth the effort. BUDGET: We spend approximately $15,000 for salary alone for a non -certified recruit attending the 4 %2 month basic police academy. By offering this incentive, we have a shorter training period, we have an officer who has some experience, and we save roughly $10,000 per hire. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution.