Riley County Police Department headquarters in Manhattan (KMAN file photo)
The Riley County Law Board on Tuesday unanimously approved the removal of recruit pay for new police trainees.
Recruit pay has been an incentive tool used by the department to pay new recruits in corrections, dispatch and police officers at a lesser wage prior to the conclusion of training, at which point they receive their regular salary. With an increasingly competitive job market, it has hampered the department’s ability of late, to attract personnel. Capt. Josh Kyle says when positions are advertised it’s been at the lower wage, which is less desirable to most new recruits.
The change has no fiscal impact on the budget. Law Board Chair Linda Morse called it a good move to strengthen recruitment efforts.
The move was also supported by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 17.
In other business Tuesday, RCPD discussed with the Law Board that they’ve been advised by their broker to increase limits for the department’s annual property and liability insurance coverage. Capt. Josh Kyle brought the non-voting item in front of the Law Board, so that they were aware of the increases which will need to be considered soon.
To move forward with that quote for this year, RCPD action would be required by the end of January or if they were to wait until next year, the increase would be considered in the 2023 budget. Director Dennis Butler clarified how RCPD could fund the increases should they opt to do so for budget year 2022.
Butler indicated staff will advise the board of its decision before the end of the month.
During the update from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 17 report, newly promoted Corporal Rachel Pate spoke about recent and upcoming events, including last month’s Cops ‘n’ Kids program, held annually at the Manhattan Walmart for children in need.
Pate also said they are experiencing some delays related to upcoming events like the Polar Plunge, which is typically held in February.
Polar Plunge raises money for Special Olympics Kansas and has been held each of the past two years outside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
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