KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP, MI — Kalamazoo Township officials hope an increase of 25% to 30% in pay for those in their police cadet program and those attending the police academy will help attract new officers.
Noting some departments across the region are offering signing bonuses upward of $15,000, Township Manager Dexter Mitchell encouraged trustees to approve the increases in pay requested by Township Police Chief Bryan Ergang at the board’s regular meeting Monday, Jan. 23.
“We can’t get into a price war, but we can try to stay as competitive as possible,” Mitchell said.
With two members absent, the trustees present voted 5-0 to pass two pay increases.
As a result, the hourly wage for part-time Kalamazoo Township police cadets — those interested in a career in law enforcement who have not gone through the police academy — was increased from $11.50 to $14.50 per hour for the first six months of employment and from $12 to $15 after the six-month period is up.
Also, the pay for police officer candidates attending the academy was upped from $15 to $20 per hour.
“This is a really difficult time to pursue candidates in public safety, so we are asking that we raise the wage from $15 to $20 to be competitive with agencies in our area with those attending our academy,” Ergang said prior to the vote. “This is for their compensation while they are training.”
The cadet program, meanwhile, serves as a good way to get aspiring people in the door and mold them into future township officers....
MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued subpoenas to three vloggers who allegedly spread false information regarding the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr...