Town says it’s tops in starting police pay

SMITHFIELD — The town’s Police Department says it now offers the highest starting salary among law enforcement agencies in Johnston and Wake counties.

New recruits can expect a starting salary of $60,000, plus a $5,000 sign-on bonus, numbers that surpass all other agencies in the two counties, the town said in a news release.

In recent years, the department has struggled with vacancies. The higher starting salary aims to change that.

“Ensuring public safety begins with investing in our officers,” said Police Chief Pete Hedrick. “Offering this salary recognizes the dedication and sacrifice of our law enforcement professionals but also strives to recruit top talent who will uphold our standards of excellence.”

The decision to raise starting salaries comes amidst a nationwide effort to bolster police forces and enhance community safety measures, the news release added.

“We believe that a well-compensated police force is essential to maintaining the safety and security of our community,” Hedrick said. “This investment not only benefits our officers and their families but also strengthens our ability to deliver quality law enforcement services to the residents of Smithfield.”

As of July 1, the Smithfield Police Department had 10 vacancies. Also, the department was looking for six school resource officers for Smithfield schools.

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