The Fresno City Council vote was unanimous to offer incentives to attract and recruit qualified police officers.
The City Manager’s Office, and Council Members Lee Brand and Steve Brandau co-sponsored the proposal, and all council members agreed.
“Well, it’s a good day, the council authorized the hiring incentives for lateral employees – what that means is – we are now going to be able to attract the best and the brightest to come to Fresno to be a part of the Fresno Police Department.” – Chief Jerry Dyer.
Before, other cities were outbidding Fresno for prospective police candidates –incentives like the $20,000 offered by the City of Santa Cruz.
Council President Oliver Baines says the council members share the same goal.
“I think we’re recognizing the ‘new normal’ so to speak, with the way we need to recruit.” Oliver Baines, Fresno City Council President.
Now, the City’s task is to hire 90 new officers in the next eleven months.
“I think its important for us to have a blend of new recruits as well as lateral officers, lateral officers bring us experience and expertise. They’re street ready. They go through our field training program, they do not have to go through our Police Academy – we can put them on the streets, we can realize that body more quickly.” -Chief Jerry Dyer.
City Manager Bruce Rudd says he’ll monitor the progress, as the city pushes forward with bringing the police force to a new level of 760 officers.
Current officers referring a successful candidate would get $1,000 finder’s fee.
Lateral hires would see 40 hours of both vacation and sick leave and $10,000 for completion of all requirements.
