DeKalb County Sheriff's Office could be in line for pay raise if the measure passes. | DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Facebook
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office could be in line for pay raise if the measure passes. | DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Facebook
An initiative that would give law enforcement officials $14 million in pay raises has the backing of DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond.
"I am proud of this investment. It is evidence of the fact that we support the men and women in uniform," said Thurmond.
FOX5 Atlanta reported that the money would come through the 2022 budget proposal Thurmond gave to the Board of Commissioners, with Thurmond of the mind that commissioners are in step with the measure and they should be approved quickly.
Thurmond added that they were aware that public safety is a collaborative effort.
“We are also increasing salaries and providing bonuses not just for our police officers, but for our investigators at the DA's office, the solicitor's office, in juvenile court, probation and parole, all sworn officers,” he said.
Roughly 2,500 police and other law enforcement personnel could see their incomes rise by this spring if the proposal is approved, according to FOX5 Atlanta.
According to a press release, the money would be utilized to enhance “retention, recruitment and training for police, fire and other public safety personnel.”
The measure would raise the size of the DeKalb Police department by 100 additional officers, according to a news release.
The initiative is part of a larger $1.2 billion fiscal year 2022 budget proposal that would include enacting pandemic front line pay as the standard pay, along with a 6.25% rise in compensation for eligible sworn public safety personnel, a $3,000 retaining bonus, enhanced starting salaries, a $5,000 hiring bonus for P.O.S.T. certified officers and a bigger 401(a) match, according to a news release.
“Our men and women who protect and serve the citizens of DeKalb are the most critical components of our workforce,” said Thurmond.
The news release stated that the measure also has “a four percent cost-of-living adjustment for non-sworn county employees to help mitigate the effects of inflation,” along with a two percent cost-of-living adjustment for county retirees.
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