HUBBARD — City Council has approved making changes to the police department pay scale to provide a higher starting wage to help recruit and retain more police officers.

Police Chief Bob Thompson said a memorandum of understanding was approved for the police department as contract negotiations have been underway between the city and the police union.

He said both parties agreed to get rid of a five-step process for wages and take it to a probationary one-step process. Thompson said new officers hired will now start at 95% of the top pay rate instead of the previous 80%.

“The first year, they get 95% of the top rate and then after a probationary period of one year, they will receive 100% as opposed to starting at 80%,” Thompson said.

He said the starting pay increases from $21.96 to $26 per hour.

He said the Hubbard Police Department, like many others, is having a hard time hiring and retaining police officers.

Safety Director Shawn Rentz said the MOU that was agreed upon eliminated three steps on the pay scale. Thompson said the previous scale was 80%, 89%, 95%, 98% and then 100%.

“This is one way we can help our officers,” Rentz said.

Thompson said years ago when police tests were given, there were many applicants and today there are often fewer than five,

“I remember when I took the police test there were 60 of us and now we are lucky if we can get four or five,” Thompson said.

First Ward Councilwoman Bonnie Viele said she also would like to see more officers on the police department and believes the pay increase will help.

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