The police department will be testing for new officers in the next 3 months. During our last testing in August of 2021 we had over 90 people apply, 33 showed up and we finished with a hiring list of 5 candidates. Of those 5, 2 are certified. 

We also offered a $5,000 signing bonus for certified officers and only had 2 apply. 

In order to increase the number of certified candidates I am recommending increasing the signing bonus to $10,000. This needs to be done to be competitive with neighboring agencies. Carlisle PD, is offering $10,000, Davenport PD is offering a $2,000 signing bonus, $2,000 in relocation fees, and up to $8,000 in housing reimbursements, Des Moines PD is offering a $10,000 signing bonus. There are numerous other departments across the state offering an signing bonus, housing cost reimbursements, and allowing officers to bring their seniority from their previous agency to the new agency. The cost of the signing bonus should be close to budget neutral compared to an officer we have to send to the academy. Tuition and meal costs for the academy are $8,263. By not attending the academy they move into the FTO program and are out on their own, usually within 17 weeks. The academy itself lasts 16 weeks. The additional costs savings are made up in reduced overtime costs by putting a certified officer in a district 4 months earlier than an officer that attends the academy.