Gastonia approves record-breaking $15,000 bonus for police officers
GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The City of Gastonia has approved $15,000 bonuses for its police officers following a vote Tuesday night.
Gastonia City Council voted in favor of the bonus, which will be a sign-on bonus, and will be the highest in North Carolina history. Qualified officers would earn $7,500 upon hiring and the other $7,500 after a one-year probationary period.
Gastonia Police got the idea from an agency in California that’s offering $75,000 as a sign-on bonus. Within 10 months, their department was full. Gastonia Police hopes elevating its sign-on bonus will also attract more officers.
PREVIOUS: Gastonia City Council considers $15,000 sign-on bonus for police officers
In a memo to the city council, Chief Trent Conard said the department is staffed with 177 officers, but with 147 currently employed, the vacancies are straining department resources.
To attract recruits, the chief wants to more than double the current bonus of $6,000. He said the current bonus has attracted no new candidates.
The compensation depends on experience and will range from $1,000 to $6,000.
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