University of Alabama police look to bolster police force numbers with increases in starting pay for new officers

1 year ago 29

SEVEN DAY FORECAST. IAN AND BRITTANY, JASON, THANKS SO MUCH. THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED COMPETITIVE SALARY INCREASES FOR NEW OFFICERS AS THEY’RE LOOKING TO BOLSTER THE FORCE. SO THIS COMES AS THE UNIVERSITY PREPARES TO SEE MORE RECORD ENROLLMENT. WVTM 13. GLADYS BATTISTA JOINING US LIVE NOW JUST OUTSIDE OF APD HEADQUARTERS IN TUSCALOOSA. GLADYS, YOU JUST SPOKE WITH THE DEPUTY CHIEF. WHAT DO THEY SAY ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AND HOW THEY’RE KIND OF UNIQUE? WELL, THE DEPUTY SAYS THERE ARE CERTAINLY DIFFERENCES WHEN IT COMES TO POLICING A CITY VERSUS A CAMPUS. BUT HE SAYS WITH INCREASING ENROLLMENT BEING A TREND OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, HAVING A BIGGER FORCE IS NECESSARY. NOW, LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS FOR APD AS FAR AS WHAT SALARIES THEY’RE NOT OFFERING NOW FOR OFFICERS JUST STARTING OFF, THEY’RE PAYING JUST OVER. $65,000 A YEAR, PLUS A SIGNING BONUS OF $7,500. OFFICERS WHO ARE COMING WITH TWO YEARS PRIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE AND HAVE STATE CERTIFICATION START OFF AT OVER 71,000. NOW, TO PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE, THE STARTING PAY FOR TUSCALOOSA OFFICER IS $51,000, ACCORDING TO THE CITY OF TUSCALOOSA RECORDS FROM LAST YEAR, UAP CHIEF DEPUTY MICAH ROGERS SAYS COMPENSATION FOR UNIVERSITY OFFICERS IS IMPORTANT, GIVEN THE ROLE THEY PLAY FOR THOSE ON CAMPUS. OFTENTIMES WE’RE GOING TO BE EITHER THE FIRST OR THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTACT THAT THEY’VE HAD WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AS AN ADULT OR A TRANSITIONING ADULT. AND THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEM. SO OUR LEVEL OF CARE AND QUALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM AND JUST ENGAGEMENT THAT WE PUT INTO THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US. DEPUTY CHIEF ROGERS SAYS THAT RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE ABOUT 75 TO 80 SWORN OFFICERS. BUT OF COURSE, HE HOPES THAT THESE SALARIES HELP ENTICE PEOPLE TO COME AND JOIN THIS FORC

The University of Alabama Police Department is looking to add to its force with the announcement of higher salaries for new officers. In an announcement Wednesday, UAPD announced a starting salary of $65,200 for new officers without experience and a starting salary of $71,240 for officers who are Alabama Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission certified with two years of law enforcement experience. UAPD Deputy Chief Micah Rodgers said the announcement comes as the department, like many around the country, experiences hiring challenges. Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WVTM 13 "There's benefits and, you know, starting salaries and things are to just meet those challenges in hiring and retaining qualified candidates," he said.Rodgers also noted the increasing enrollment at the university, with a record-setting 38,645 students in the fall of 2022. "The more students, the more kids are going to be around and doing whatever they shouldn't be doing," said David Jones, the owner of Bama Stuff. "And I'm sure the university needs more officers to patrol the campus area. We need more police officers anywhere near here, near the strip. If they patrol the strip and keep the peace, then I'm all for it."Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeBut Jones said with starting pay for city of Tuscaloosa officers at $51,000 with a $5,000 signing bonus, he hopes UAPD's increase sends a message. "They do seem like a lot of a lot of expense for the university when these people are not put in harm's way as near as often as city police officers," Jones said. "And I wish city police officers could make that kind of money."Deputy Chief Rodgers said there are about 75-80 sworn officers on the force, but he hopes that number grows in the coming months.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. —

The University of Alabama Police Department is looking to add to its force with the announcement of higher salaries for new officers.

In an announcement Wednesday, UAPD announced a starting salary of $65,200 for new officers without experience and a starting salary of $71,240 for officers who are Alabama Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission certified with two years of law enforcement experience.

UAPD Deputy Chief Micah Rodgers said the announcement comes as the department, like many around the country, experiences hiring challenges.

Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WVTM 13

"There's benefits and, you know, starting salaries and things are to just meet those challenges in hiring and retaining qualified candidates," he said.

Rodgers also noted the increasing enrollment at the university, with a record-setting 38,645 students in the fall of 2022.

"The more students, the more kids are going to be around and doing whatever they shouldn't be doing," said David Jones, the owner of Bama Stuff. "And I'm sure the university needs more officers to patrol the campus area. We need more police officers anywhere near here, near the strip. If they patrol the strip and keep the peace, then I'm all for it."

Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

But Jones said with starting pay for city of Tuscaloosa officers at $51,000 with a $5,000 signing bonus, he hopes UAPD's increase sends a message.

"They do seem like a lot of a lot of expense for the university when these people are not put in harm's way as near as often as city police officers," Jones said. "And I wish city police officers could make that kind of money."

Deputy Chief Rodgers said there are about 75-80 sworn officers on the force, but he hopes that number grows in the coming months.

Read Entire Article