10.8.22 – Vicksburg News
Law enforcement agencies around the state, especially near the capital city, are in a bidding war for police officers.
A recent post by the Clinton Police Department shows that they offer uncertified officers a starting pay of $42,000, plus the ability to take their vehicle home even if they don’t live in the area.
Law enforcement agencies around the state, especially near the capital city, are in a bidding war for police officers.
In a graphic posted in April of 2021, the Madison Police Department started their officers at $40,000, however, a recent report by WAPT says Madison just increased their starting pay to $50,000 a year.
In that same report, the city of Jackson has increased their minimum pay to $45,000 to start for their officers. They did that to fight off the Capitol Police raising their starting pay to $42,000. A police Sergeant in Jackson has a minimum pay of $54,000 per year.
Ridgeland is advertising that a Patrol Officer can make $46,000 a year to start. They also offer dispatchers a starting pay of $32,760 to $43,000 to start.
The Hinds County Sheriff sits at the bottom of the list with a starting pay of $29,000 for a new Deputy.
Brandon Police and the Pearl Police offer 36K and 35K to start.
All the above agencies offer similar benefits with most allowing officers to take their vehicles home with them.
In Vicksburg we offer…
In Vicksburg, we offer new officers a pay of $16.12 per hour to start. On a 40-hour work week that becomes an annual pay of $33, 597. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen are responsible for setting that salary. The Police Chief has to work with and recruit new officers based on whatever number they give her.
E-911 dispatchers start at $14.00 an hour, 29k a year at 40 hours per week.
Each of the above-listed cities offers a different cost of living and a different quality of life.