OXFORD, Miss.- The Oxford Police Department is seeking a raise of salaries for new and veteran officers.
The Oxford Eagle reports Police Department Major Jeff McCutchen told alderman recently that the department is losing many of their five-to-eight year officers to the Highway Patrol and departments in north Mississippi.
The police department is asking the alderman to consider making two pay increases over the next few years to meet same pay standards other area departments are getting.
The department presented a salary comparison to the board, which showed Oxford’s starting salary is $34,749 for a certified, no-experience, new hire officer. In Southaven, starting salary is $43,890 and Tupelo is $39,600.
For a three-year officer, the salary is $35,791 in Oxford, $46,717 in Southaven and $41,060 in Tupelo. A captain makes $53,263 in Oxford, $62,312 in Southaven and $54,649 in Tupelo.
Alderman took no action to the proposal and said the budget for the fiscal year 2014-2015 has already been approved.
The fiscal year began Oct. 1. Alderman say to change the salaries they would require a budget amendment or be included in next year’s budget process.
