Implementing a pay study from the Carl Vinson Institute specific to the Police Department, the city of Smyrna is increasing officer starting pay and addressing pay compression in Police Administration, according to a city statement.
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia was asked by city leadership to do a breakout study of the Police Department – within a larger citywide study currently underway - and analyze where Smyrna ranks in respect to other jurisdictions.
As part of this process, the study concentrated on Department of Community Affairs (DCA) submissions and contacted those organizations for updates to the pay amounts reported earlier this year.
The Carl Vinson Institute also applied an aging factor to the amounts to get them more in line with where the city is now.
This analysis found that the city of Smyrna was lagging the market and still was one of the lowest paid - even after the 4% grade adjustment made a few weeks ago.
The study also confirmed pay compression within the Police Department.
Based on these findings, the Carl Vinson Institute has presented Smyrna officials with a plan to address starting pay and compression.
There are 87 employees that were a part of the police-specific study. Of the 87 employees, 35 will receive adjustments to the new grade minimums, amounting to approximately $94,000.
Of these same 87 employees, it was found that 66 need compression-related adjustments of about $150,000.
The adjustments are recommended to be applied effective for the pay period beginning Nov. 15 and will be funded by the city’s General Fund reserves.
The actions specific to the Police Department are part of a larger classification and compensation study that Smyrna is conducting with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
Receipt of the recommendations from the citywide study, anticipated in January, also will be presented to the City Council for consideration.
Due to the shortages currently facing the city’s Police Department, this recommendation was put forth by the Smyrna Administration, Finance and Human Resources departments to address the immediate need in the Smyrna Police Department.
When completed, the full study is anticipated to prompt further police-specific adjustments when it comes forward in January.
This most recent Council action is a measure to put the city of Smyrna in a more competitive position immediately, the city statement added.
Starting pay for an Uncertified Police Officer is $43,192.
Once a recruit completes his/her working test period or is an individual who is already POST certified, the starting pay is $46,744.
For those who are interested in becoming a Smyrna Police Officer or would like to learn more, contact Officer Houze at 678-631-5242 or hhouze@smyrnaga.gov.
Information: SmyrnaGa.gov, facebook.com/SmyrnaPDGA
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