With last year’s pay raises in effect, City Council members now want to know what it would take to make Montgomery’s public safety officers the highest paid in the state.
For years, retention troubles have plagued the Montgomery Police Department and Montgomery Fire/Rescue. Despite high marks from outside groups on their performance, police lost around 60 officers last year, while firefighters had about 30 leave. To remedy that outflow, city leaders are asking public safety and financial officials the price tag for a major jump in pay.
The discussion about the pay raise came during an ad hoc City Council meeting that consisted of three Council members, the mayor, and public safety leaders. They are not only looking at officers' compensation but also increases in funding for the 911 call center. Like police and firefighters, dispatchers have staffing issues because of the stressful nature of the job.