INDIANAPOLIS — New Indianapolis police officers will soon be making more money.
Mayor Joe Hogsett announced pay raises to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department recruits, paying the officers more in their first and second years on the job.
Under the new payscale, first-year recruit officers will make $51,000 per year, instead of the current $39,446.16 per year. Second-year officers will make $59,500 per year, up from the current $47,650.93. Third-year officers will make the same as they currently do -- $70,139 per year.
The new changes will go into effect in June, when current first- and second-year officers will also see a pay increase to the new scale.
Hogsett and IMPD Chief Bryan Roach said the pay raise is to attract and keep officers in Indianapolis.
“As we work to recruit new officers, we’re not only competing with other industries in Indianapolis, we’re competing with police agencies in other cities,” Roach said. “Innovation in recruiting practices and a competitive starting salary are crucial if we are to continue to build a police force that reflects the strength and vibrancy of Indianapolis.”
IMPD will pay for the raises through cost savings from retirements and over-budgeting, according to a release from the City of Indianapolis.
IMPD is also instituting an incentive program that rewards officers for recruiting new people to the department. Officers who recruit an applicant can receive up to $500.
The 2019 city budget fully funds 1,743 IMPD officers. To reach this staffing level, IMPD has goals to bring in 75 new recruit officers in June, and 75 in December.
“Balancing the budget with unanimous council support allows us to make long overdue investments – investments in things like infrastructure, education, and in the people charged with keeping our city safe,” Hogsett said in a release. “And coupled with innovative changes to recruiting practices, investing more in each person who steps up to serve our city will in turn help us recruit more qualified people.”
For more information on applying to be an IMPD officer, click here.
The new pay scale is as follows, per IMPD:
| Years of Service | Current Annual Salary | New Annual Salary | |
| Base Salary less Longevity, etc. | Base Salary less Longevity, etc. | ||
| First year | $ 39,446.16 | $ 51,000.00 | |
| Second year | $ 47,650.93 | $ 59,500.00 | |
| Third year or lateral recruit | $ 70,139.00 | $ 70,139.00 |
