Hopkinsville City Council approved creation of a police officer lateral hire incentive policy at Tuesday’s meeting and recognized individual accomplishments.
A ‘lateral’ hire by the Hopkinsville Police Department means that the person who is being hired has served in another law enforcement agency prior to applying for employment with the city. A new lateral hire could have a sign-on award of up to $9,000 before tax, following completion of their six month probation period.
Police Chief Clayton Sumner says it’s his hope that by attracting lateral hires, it means they can put officers on the streets faster and with a cost savings.
He says law enforcement agencies across the nation, including the Hopkinsville Police Department, are experiencing a shortage in officers.
The incentives do not apply to non-lateral hires or to currently employed officers—they’re also subject to change, depending on budget appropriations. Kentucky retired officers on a one year contract may receive a new hire sign-on award of up to $3,000 per year for three years.
Council recognized Bryce Robinson of Hopkinsville High School for achieving a perfect score of 36 on the ACT—something accomplished by only .02 percent of test takers. Also recognized was the Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority for the awards the recently received, including the Drinking Water Excellence Award from the Kentucky Division of Water, Leslie Rogers was named the Water Treatment Plant Operator of the Year and HWEA was also given the Outstand Water Plant Award in the entire state of Kentucky.
