Bloomington City Council Rebukes Police Department Budget Proposal, Calling for Increased Officer Pay

Strategic Insights -

The Bloomington City Council sharply rebuked Mayor John Hamilton's proposed police department budget, with four council members indicating they would reject it unless the mayor makes more money available to raise officers' pay. This comes as the police department is facing a staffing shortage, with only 76 of 93 sworn officers able to work shifts due to training, leave, or other absences.

Key Takeaways:

  • The police department's proposed budget aims to increase the number of sworn officers to 105, but council members are concerned about burnout and the high turnover rate.
  • Police officers will receive a 2.9% raise next year, but council members are calling for a $5,000 increase to the base pay, which is currently $50,500 for first-year probationary officers.
  • The city council is concerned that Bloomington ranks 68th in officer pay despite being the seventh-largest city in the state, and that the department has lost and gained about the same number of officers in the past five years.
  • Police Chief Michael Diekhoff noted that departments across the country are struggling to hire and retain officers, and that cities must make their workplaces more attractive to compete for talented candidates.
  • Council members Susan Sandberg and Ron Smith expressed their support for increasing police officer pay to show the city cares about public safety and the well-being of its officers.
  • Council member Dave Rollo questioned the mayor's budget, stating that it fails to address the department's critical needs and that the city is unable to hire new officers due to its low pay.

Statistics:

  • The police department has a staffing shortage of 17 officers, with only 76 able to work shifts.
  • Police officers will receive a 2.9% raise next year.
  • The base pay for first-year probationary officers is $50,500.
  • The city of Bloomington ranks 68th in officer pay among peer cities.
  • The police department has lost and gained about the same number of officers in the past five years.

Sources:

  • [Boris Ladwig, "City council sharply rebukes police budget, says more money needed for officer pay" (The Herald-Times, August 26, 2021)]