Star Staff Reports
As of the end of March, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) had a total of 1,933 commissioned officers compared to an actual budgeted complement of 2,126 for the current fiscal year and a goal of 2,500 officers set by the Memphis City Council.
As of the end of March, there were 646 deputy sheriffs compared to a budgeted complement of 718 for the current fiscal year. There were only 585 correctional deputies on the payroll, with a budget complement of 923.
Faced with severe staffing shortages, MPD and the Sheriff’s Office are relying upon a number of recruitment and retention incentives. Below is a summary.
MPD RECRUITMENT/RETENTION INCENTIVES
Removal of the residency requirement by the TN General Assembly
Mayor’s proposal for 10% raise over two years
Signing bonus of $15,000
Retention incentive of 9% per year for up to five years (contract between officer and city)
Relocation reimbursement up to $10,000
Speeding up the application process
$5,000 referral bonus for officers
Down payment assistance program for those who want to move into the city
RECRUITMENT/RETENTION INCENTIVES FOR DEPUTY SHERIFFS
A fast-track application process, which allows applicants to take all entry tests on the same day
Increased the entry level salary from $37, 512.32 to $42,803.04 per year
Removal of the residency requirement by the TN General Assembly
RECRUITMENT/RETENTION INCENTIVES FOR CORRECTIONAL DEPUTIES
A fast track application process, which allows applicants to take all entry tests on the same day
Increased the entry level salary from $36,937.92 to $41,534.40 per year
$5,000 signing bonus
Implemented a lateral policy allowing correctional officers from other agencies the ability to onboard higher than entry level pay
Reduced residency exemption pay from $2,500 per year to $1,500 per year, for employees who live outside of Shelby County (Correctional deputies were not included in bill approved by TN General Assembly.)
$1000 referral fee for any employee referring a candidate hired and employed for 12 months.
