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VIENNA -- Vienna City Council will vote on a proposed pay increase for Vienna Police Department officers at Thursday's meeting at 6 p.m. in the Vienna Municipal Building.
The resolution is sponsored by council members Tom Azinger and Kim Williams. If passed, officers' salaries would be raised by $12,000 a year.
"It's a number that gets people's attention," Azinger said. "It's not 50 cents an hour. It would be $1,000 a month."
Vienna Police Chief Mike Pifer said an officer's starting pay is $23 an hour. Nineteen officers are currently on the VPD roster, with room for 21 on the payroll. He said the VPD is having problems recruiting new officers, as are many departments nationwide.
Williams said she signed on with Azinger to address the recruitment issues locally.
"Nationwide there is a crisis in recruiting and retaining law enforcement officers. I co-sponsored his resolution so that it could get on the agenda and give the council an opportunity to deliberate on how to move forward," she said
Azinger said several officers will be retiring within the next year to 18 months. He recognized the hazards police officers face such as carrying heavy equipment and possible gun violence.
"We need to pay them what they are worth. It's a very difficult job," he said
Pifer said replacing officers isn't easy due to low turnout numbers to take the civil service exam required by law and the lengthy process to become a certified police officer by the State of West Virginia.
"It generally takes about a year to be an effective officer. From the day you hold up your right hand and promise to uphold the Constitution to being on your own takes that long," he said.
Potential officers have to pass a civil service exam, undergo various evaluations such as physical, mental, and psychological, train at a police academy for a set amount of time and train under another experienced officer.
Williams said council sets police officer pay and has considered many factors when giving raises in the past.
"Each year, all employees get an automatic 35 cents per hour longevity pay. During the budget process, council can choose to increase employee pay beyond the 35 cents per hour. Due to the inflation of the last several years, council has given all employees raises beyond the mandatory 35 cents per hour longevity pay," she said.
Pifer said he's not sure the proposed pay increase would increase recruitment if passed, but he appreciates council's efforts nonetheless.
"This is a proactive step. I don't know if an increase will fix the problem, but I support them taking action," he said.
Pifer said he planned to be in attendance for Thursday's meeting.