The Fairbanks City Council on Monday approved bonuses to help recruit and retain police officers and dispatchers.
Council members Valerie Therrien and Jonathan Bagwill cosponsored the resolution, which offers bonuses ranging from$1,300 to $3,300, based on years of service.
Council members Valerie Therrien and Jonathan Bagwill cosponsored the measure to award bonuses to Fairbanks police Department personnel and dispatchers mainly to help fill depleted ranks of officers and retain those already on the payroll.
Bagwill says the bonuses are needed because the department is short by seven officers and is having a hard time filling the openings. Mayor Jim Matherly expressed respect and appreciation for all city employees, but he says they don’t face the kind of danger and stress of police officers and dispatchers.