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(9/22/2015 9:48 p.m.) UPDATE: City leaders have passed the resolution unanimously. OGDEN — City leaders in Ogden are considering giving their police force a pay raise because too many officers are leaving for better-paying jobs.
The proposed resolution would initially move some $500,000 of the city's budget into the police department.
But city leaders say they're already losing money when they have seasoned officers leave for better-paying jobs, leading the department to have to constantly recruit and train new officers.
Part of the reason why it's so difficult to recruit new, qualified officers is because the work is so tough.
"When you look at the amount of pressure that's on a police officer today, to make the right decision every time in a fraction of a second," said Ogden Police Chief Mike Ashment, it can be daunting for some.
Ashment said an increasing number of his officers are looking for better-paying jobs in the Salt Lake Valley. The department currently has 14 openings in the department, five officers in the academy, and several more in training.
What that's created is a market where all of the departments are competing for the cream from each others' departments, because we want to hire the best people.
–Ogden Police Chief Mike Ashment
"They just get to a point where they're experienced and you lose that investment to other departments," Ashment said.
Like many other cities, Ogden police suffered cutbacks during the recent recession. Ashment said they're not significantly behind in pay when compared to other similarly sized agencies.
"What that's created is a market where all of the departments are competing for the cream from each others' departments, because we want to hire the best people," he said.
Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell said it not only hurts public safety, but the budget as well when new officers have to be brought in. It can cost as much as $40,000 per new hire to get that officer trained and up to speed.
A pay increase would correspond with years in service in hopes of keeping seasoned officers from leaving. Mayor Caldwell said he doesn't expect much opposition towards giving the police officers a raise.
The resolution is getting a first reading Tuesday, but the Ogden City Council has already looked it over in a recent work session. It is expected to pass Tuesday evening.
