The Jonesboro City Council’s Finance and Administration Committee has forwarded to the full council a pay plan for the police department that will provide “step-raises” over years of service. Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliot provided a plan that would start officers off at $34,500 and will provide raises in years 1,3, 5, 7,10, 15, and 20. The maximum that an officer could make after 20 years would be over $51,000.
Sergeants would start off at $52,000 and max out at $60,000 after ten years, Lieutenants would start off at $61,000 and max out at $70,000 in seven years, Captains would start off at $71,000 and max out at $81,000 in five years, the Assistant Chief would start off at $82,000 and max out at $92,000 in five years and the chief would start out at $96,000 and max out at $108,000 in five years.
Elliot tells KASU news the proposed pay scale would make it easier to recruit and retain officers. He says this scale makes the job more competitive with area police departments and agencies. He says 77 officers have left the force over the past 5 years because of the current officer salary. Alderman Darrell Dover is Chairman of the Jonesboro Finance and Administration Committee. He tells KASU news the city would have to closely watch its budget in the future if a step plan is adopted.
Darrell Dover says the city employs over 500 employees, with 150 of those employees making up the police department. He says the council will have to determine if a step plan is feasible to support the other 350 employees and city services. The full council will consider the plan next Tuesday night.