Chattanooga City Council Approves $500,000 Grant to Boost Police Officer Recruitment and Retention
Photo Courtesy of Chattanooga Police Department
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The Chattanooga City Council has made a significant decision, approving a $500,000 grant aimed at enhancing the recruitment and retention of qualified police officers. The funding, awarded to the Chattanooga Police Department, is part of an initiative designed to address the challenges many law enforcement agencies face in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant comes from the POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) recruitment and retention program, which is financially supported by the Tennessee General Assembly and Governor Bill Lee. This program is intended to offer financial incentives to officers who meet specific eligibility criteria, encouraging them to stay with the department longer. Specifically, officers hired on or after May 1, 2023, will receive financial bonuses as they reach significant career milestones.
“Like police departments across the nation, we are grappling with recruitment and retention challenges exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. “This grant, along with our upcoming ballot initiative to update outdated residency requirements, will be pivotal in ensuring that we have a strong, qualified police force ready to serve our community. Our dedicated officers deserve our support, especially when they are working with limited staffing.”
In 2023, the department provided an $800 retention bonus to officers who completed their in-service training and committed to staying with the department through 2024. However, last year’s initiative did not extend to newly hired officers. The newly secured grant addresses this gap by specifically targeting newer recruits.
Chief of Police John Chambers expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the City Council and the Mayor, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation for all officers. “Our employees are our greatest asset, and this grant will play a crucial role in recognizing and rewarding their service,” she stated. “We are excited about the support we’ve received and look forward to implementing these new incentives.”
For further details about the grant and the eligibility requirements, interested parties are encouraged to reach out to Sergeant Victor Miller at the Chattanooga Police Department.
