The Culver Town Council members met in a work session Monday, July 31 to discuss the hiring process with the Culver Police Department.
Culver Police Chief Wayne Bean explained that the application process for the Culver Police Department has been open for some time and offers of employment have been made to two officers, but the offers were rejected. He said he would like to review other avenues to entice officers to apply and accept employment with the Culver Police Department.
Chief Bean suggested vacation time, a take-home car, longevity, the addition of a 77 Plan pension fund, smart phones, and a clothing allowance.
Pay was not brought up as a point, but as it stands, the Salary Ordinance for the Police Department has full-time deputies at a pay range of $28.00 to $33.00 per hour and part-time officers at a pay range of $20.00 to $26.00 per hour. The council made efforts in 2022 to increase police pay as a measure to be competitive in the hiring process. Additionally, the council is set to determine pay raises for all departments for the 2024 budget in upcoming work sessions.
Chief Bean noted that some departments are considering lateral transfers, meaning that whatever the police officer was getting in terms of vacation time at their current department of employment would transfer to another department. While Chief Bean believes that would be a positive influence, he would like to offer the longevity for certified officers the same as it would be at five years of employment with the department which is two weeks up front.
While the council cannot make official motions for approval of discussion topics during a work session, they agreed that take-home cars are feasible if Chief Bean purchases one car by the end of this year and purchases another vehicle at the beginning of 2024 and then resume the replacement rotation in 2025. Official purchase action is likely to take place during a future regular meeting of the council.
More discussions will be held in work budget discussions with the Police Department Friday, August 4.
