Atlanta mayor looking to sweeten package to promote retention within police department

Mayor Andre Dickens has stated he desires so as to add a further 250 officers to the power earlier than the tip of the 12 months.

Councilman Dustin Hillis thinks the cash may very well be used to pay present officers.

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“We actually must have anyplace from a ten to 12 % increase for the Atlanta Police Division,” he stated.

Atlanta metropolis councilman and Public Security Chairman Dustin Hillis says the town wants to present cops a 12 % increase or danger shedding a number of the officers already on the power to increased paying jobs.

“That will be a 6 % enhance this 12 months, and 6 % the subsequent fiscal 12 months,” he stated.

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Hillis stated officers obtained a big increase 5 years in the past, however since then, the price of residing and inflation have skyrocketed, and the variety of officers retiring or leaving APD for an additional metro division proceed to be an issue.

An officer’s beginning wage is $48,500, can the town afford a 12% increase?

“In terms of public security, I imagine it’s a increase the town has to afford,” Hillis stated.

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Channel 2′s Dave Huddleston requested Dickens if this was a increase the town may afford.

“The price range course of is just not completed,” Dickens instructed Channel 2.

He stated the town is doing a greater job of holding on to the officers they’ve, however he desires to complete taking a look at all choices, regardless that the division is down 25% of its desired 2000 officers wanted to cowl all of the crime.

“Whether or not it’s 6 % or extra, or whether or not it comes within the type of some bonuses or another issues, a pleasant package deal that we’re placing collectively,” Dickens stated.

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