Officers with the Plymouth Police Department will be getting a raise.
Councilmen Don Ecker, Jr., Gary Cook and Bill Walters conducted a wage study with other departments around the area and found that Plymouth isn’t as competitive with wages as surrounding departments. The base salary was one of the lowest in departments comparable to the Plymouth Police Department.
Ecker, Jr. said the committee’s recommendations will allow the police department to be more in line and more competitive in salaries.
“Effective July 1 move the patrol officers salary to $52,500,” explained Ecker, Jr. “In 2018 and beyond, look at some of the additional suggestions such as the possibility of adding police officers where necessary, take home vehicles, vacation policy, and then put together a three to five year plan where we can begin moving toward a campus so we can combine the police and fire department.”
Ecker, Jr. did note that the current facility was built in 1974 and the department has overgrown the building. The committee thought it would feasible to combine the two emergency agencies.
The Plymouth City Council unanimously approved the committee’s recommendation as presented.
An additional appropriation of $136,000 will be sought to make the salary increase effective July 1. With Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver at training this week, City Attorney Sean Surrisi noted that the additional appropriation request would not have the proper publishing notice so it may happen later in July. Once that request is approved, the salary will be retroactive to July 1.
A salary ordinance amendment will be presented to the council at their next meeting on July 10.
Plymouth Police Chief David Bacon said a recent retirement left one opening on the force. He said he received 33 applications and 26 of those applicants will be moving on to the next round.
