To remain competitive in attracting experienced and qualified applicants, the Police Department seeks permission to maintain the $10,000 hiring bonus paid to police officer applicants previously certified as law enforcement officers. This practice has proved effective over the past two years in attracting certified applicants. 

A recent survey of law enforcement agencies in the greater Omaha metropolitan and DesMoines areas showed that similar bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 are being paid to attract certified applicants. 

Due to recent recruiting successes and lessons learned from the issues facing certified officers considering accepting a position with the CBPD (i.e., potential moving expenses or paying their former employer for training expenses), the CBPD requests to maintain the $10,000 hiring bonus for the next two years.