Part-time salaries increased 28.5 percent
PRINCETON – The Princeton Board of Commissioners voted recently to restructure Police Department salaries in an effort to recruit officers to fill two of the five full time positions funded by the Town.
One vacancy occurred last summer when an officer took a position in another industry. The second vacancy opened up on February 28, 2022 with retirement of Lieutenant R. C. Radford, a 13-year veteran of the department.
“We received no interest in our initial vacancy and now, with a second vacancy, we need to do whatever we can to generate interest in working for the Princeton Police Department,” says Police Chief T. Sutton.
“We are also concerned about retaining our current employees as the nationwide shortage of law enforcement officers continues,” Chief Sutton added.
With the Police Department facing a 40 percent shortage in full time staffing, Town Administrator Marla Ashworth researched the salary schedules of surrounding communities and made the following recommendations that were immediately implemented by the Town Board:
- Increase starting full-time Police Officer pay from $37,245 to $45,379, a nearly 22% increase, annually
- Increase current full-time Police Officer pay from 20% to 27.5% annually based on position and experience
- Increase the hourly rate for part-time Police Officers from $14 to $18, a 28.5% increase
In addition to competitive salaries, new employees earn at least 7 days of vacation leave, 10 days of sick leave, and 16 hours of personal leave per year. Other employment benefits include 13 paid holidays and employee paid health, dental, life, and vision insurance.
In the fiercely competitive market for law enforcement employees, the Town of Princeton is banking on these measures to be enough to bring the department back to full staffing to protect and serve town citizens.
Strangely, I do not believe pay is the main reason why men and women are not entering the law enforcement field. Perhaps, just maybe, it could be the lack of respect and disdain a certain political party is promoting against police. I for one thank and respect all of you who choose to selflessly protect law abiding citizens and help to keep us safe.
The problems with Princeton PD may be patched with a salary increase but retention problems lie with the chief. Find a new chief, officers will come AND stay.
agreed! I don’t think he has done the greatest job. Radford was the best one they had in my opinion.
Not so sure were paying our law enforcement, one of the most difficult and necessary service positions, close to enough money for putting their life on the line. Even with that pay increase, it seems very very low. And in todays increasingly lawless society, we should be compensating our law enforcement officers very well for the security they provide. Tisk Tisk Tisk. Bump that salary up to 75k to 80k annually, make it worth their while to put their life on the line and you’ll fill those vacancies.
Comments said to pay more and the town has..But they can only afford so much
Can make more at Amazon and get at least $3k bonus going in. And only small risk of box falling on you. No breaking up bar fights. 🙂