The Scottsdale City Council has recommended an increase in salary and a new pay program for police officers in an effort to increase retention.
Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield said highly trained officers are leaving Scottsdale to make $10,000 to $15,000 more at other Valley police departments.
“We are losing our officers at a very fast rate right now because we are not competitive in the marketplace,” Littlefield said. “This is what we need to fix to be competitive with other cities surrounding us.”
The increase, which is just a recommendation and not a decision, is projected to cost the city $1.6 million next year. The budget will be finalized in June.
