City Council Approves Retention and Referral Bonuses For Tuscaloosa Police Patrol Officers
March 1, 2023
At last night’s City Council meeting, the City Council approved an ordinance establishing a $5,000 retention bonus for new officers, and a $2,500 referral bonus for current employees who refer a new patrol officer to join TPD.
City of Tuscaloosa Police Patrol Officers hired after March 1, 2023 will now be eligible for a $5,000 retention bonus that will be distributed as follows:
City of Tuscaloosa Police Patrol Officers hired after March 1, 2023 will now be eligible for a $5,000 retention bonus that will be distributed as follows:
- $2,000 paid after the completion of the probationary period of employment,
- $1,500 paid after completion of the second year of employment &
- $1,500 paid after completion of the third year of employment.
Current employees who refer a new Tuscaloosa Police Patrol Officer will now be eligible for a $2,500 recruitment bonus after the referred officer successfully completes their probationary period of employment.
Next Tuesday, the Council will vote on establishing take-home police vehicles for all patrol officers.
"This investment will help us hire the best candidates so we can maintain the high level of service our citizens deserve,” Chief of Police Brent Blankley said. “We’re competing with other departments to hire the very best from a pool of candidates that keeps shrinking. Take-home cars have become routinely offered at other departments, and we’ve seen more sign-on bonuses offered in the last year. This is what we need to do to stay competitive, and we’re grateful to the council for taking this step.”
To apply to join the Tuscaloosa Police Department, visit jointuscaloosapd.com. The City will also hold a TPD Career fair on Thursday, March 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Tuscaloosa River Market.
Next Tuesday, the Council will vote on establishing take-home police vehicles for all patrol officers.
"This investment will help us hire the best candidates so we can maintain the high level of service our citizens deserve,” Chief of Police Brent Blankley said. “We’re competing with other departments to hire the very best from a pool of candidates that keeps shrinking. Take-home cars have become routinely offered at other departments, and we’ve seen more sign-on bonuses offered in the last year. This is what we need to do to stay competitive, and we’re grateful to the council for taking this step.”
To apply to join the Tuscaloosa Police Department, visit jointuscaloosapd.com. The City will also hold a TPD Career fair on Thursday, March 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Tuscaloosa River Market.