(6/26) Nearly ten months since the last Carroll Valley Borough police officer resigned, the borough may begin making leeway for new hires as the council approved a starting pay increase June 14.
"Nothing the chief has been able to do has solved our problem of hiring someone," Council President Richard Mathews said.
The Borough’s police hiring ad hoc group assembled to review police hiring practices and to recommend changes to help bring the department back to fully staffed.
The group reviewed patrol officer salaries of neighboring municipalities. Within Adams County, Carroll Valley was found to be considerably under, for police officer’s starting salary as well as officers coming in with several years of experience, Mathews said.
The group’s conclusion was consensus based following a review of the compensation levels of other collectively bargained police departments in the county. Not only was it determined that Carroll Valley’s starting salary was uncompetitively low, but the pay for officers with three to four years of service was $20,000 to $30,000 below their peers in nearby departments, according to the police hiring ad hoc group’s letter submitted to the council.
The group not only recommended a change to the patrol officer pay range, but also advised further study to evaluate the fairness of pay to current officers to encourage future retention of experienced officers.
The group recommended a $70,000 starting salary and a three-year contract guarantee of $85,000 at the end of three years. The salary range is negotiable depending upon the qualifications and experience of the selectee, Mathews said.
Although self-described as "pro-police as anybody can be," Councilmember Robert Verderaime opposed the salary increase. Verderaime voiced apprehension, stating that based on the number and nature of service calls, he was reluctant to justify the need to the taxpayers for the hiring of an additional full-time officer.
Based on the group’s recommendation, the council’s motion authorized Chief Richard Hileman II to advertise the new salary.
Hileman was satisfied with the stage of the development to address police vacancy and bring on new officers. "I think we’re in good shape to have a good shot at it," he said.
