LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – Some members of the Lafayette Police force are set to get a raise.
The Lafayette City-Parish Council unanimously approved a new ‘Senior Corporal’ rank at its meeting Tuesday.
Last year the Department had 1 sergeant, 14 corporals, and 13 police officers resign.
And one of the main reasons most of those officers left, was because they weren’t making enough money.
And one of the main reasons most of those officers left, was because they weren’t making enough money.
“We’re (Lafayette PD) excited about the new change that’s going to occur, and we hope that it helps out with our retention in our Department,” said Corporal Bridgette Dugas, with the Lafayette Police Department.
“It’s an ordinance amending the budget, to add an additional amount of money to cover the expenses associated with this new senior corporal’ position,” said Lafayette City-Parish Councilman Bruce Conque, for District 6.
55 corporals in the department will now be promoted to the senior corporal rank, allowing officers to qualify for raises earlier in their tenure on the force.
“Previously an officer would come here and not get a raise until they hit the rank of sergeant per say.
So an officer could be here from up to 16 or 17 years before they see a pay increase,” said Cpl. Dugas.
So an officer could be here from up to 16 or 17 years before they see a pay increase,” said Cpl. Dugas.
With the new ordinance, the officers will now be considered senior corporals after 10 years of service; 4 years as a police officer and 6 years as a corporal.
“As a senior corporal you’re going to receive 6% increase in pay. And then when you make sergeant, you have something to look forward too, we’ll give you the additional 6% that you would’ve gotten when you made sergeant the first time, before the ordinance was in place,” said Cpl. Dugas.
The Department currently has 282 officers.
However, 28 officers resigned last year primarily because of the pay.
However, 28 officers resigned last year primarily because of the pay.
Councilman Conque believes this will improve the force’s retention rate.
“To encourage them (officers) to stay on the force, and also to be in a better position like State Police,” said Conque.
As for Corporal Dugas, she has 1 more year until she qualifies for the raise, but says it’s something she’s looking forward too.
“It’s going to help me and my family greatly,” she said.
This is NO new taxes.
The money will come from existing general funds in the City of Lafayette’s budget.
The money will come from existing general funds in the City of Lafayette’s budget.
The ordinance will also raise the pay for the Chief’s secretary.
The officers should see the increase within their next pay periods.
To learn more about how to become an officer with the Lafayette Police Department, call their recruiting section at 337-291-8663.
