JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
The South Pittsburg City Board has approved to raise the pay for newly hired police officers up to $21 for starting pay, to then $21.50 when working for 6 months and then $22 for the max pay when on duty for the first year.
The proposal was requested by Wayne Jordan, Police Chief for the South Pittsburg Police Department, whom expressed concern regarding the initial pay, which was $19 an hour, capped out for new hires and seasoned officers. He suggested creating a program for those especially who aren’t certified, yet are still in training to serve in the line of duty to uphold the law and encourage them to continue working for the department.
“We have to make a stand somewhere. We have to take a step forward,” said Chief Jordan.
He hopes that an increase in starting pay will attract newcomers to join their police department. Recently the department has lost two officers whom have relocated to nearby Marion County Sheriff’s Department in Jasper earlier this month shedding light on the pay issue and left the department particularly shorthanded.
“Two of the guys that I’ve lost this time they went to Marion County’s Sheriff’s Department for School Resource. And over there that’s five days a week, 8 hours a day and they’re off every weekend and on holidays. And they’re gonna make more money. I can’t compete with that,” said Chief Jordan.
When asked further about the proposal, particularly of those who aren’t certified yet for the police role, Chief Jordan explained that the program will be a step-by-step process in which certified officers can receive additional training on the job then receive the pay increase for their work overtime.
“What I’ve proposed to the board is to let’s do a step program. And that they’ll come in at $21.50 an hour. And then after six months, they can go to $22 an hour unless they haven’t achieved their certification,” said Jordan.
Additional propositions made also included the hiring of a full time investigator for the police department, as well as the hiring of new officers to fill in for the two who have transferred over to neighboring Jasper.
During the meeting, Jordan explained having several interviews with new officers for the open positions, including one that he had with a gentleman earlier this month, whom Jordan shared great enthusiasm of during the meeting.
“I did a fantastic interview with him. I haven’t had anyone do that well in an interview in my career.” shared Jordan.
All additional proposals were approved unanimously by the city board.
