"Need to look at the retaining of our officers having our fine men and women that we have in our police department stay with us."
Muskegon Public Safety Director Tim Kozal says the 5 thousand dollar per officer retention bonus, paid in two 25-hundred-dollar installments, may prevent some officers from leaving for higher pay in other departments.
"Competing with the Grand Rapids, the Kent Counties, the Ottawa Counties because those are the areas our officers are leaving and going to."
Kozal says because his department has a budget for 71 officers but currently only has 65 on the payroll bonus money is available.
“And I felt we could do a five thousand dollar per officer retention bonus.”
“I just wish we could do more.”
Commissioner Willie German supports the bonus and higher salaries for police officers.
“You guys don’t get paid enough putting your lives on the line.”
“I’m looking forward to this as one step trying to retain our team.”
