Topeka Police Department members to see 17% raises next year, and more to follow

Action from the Topeka City Council will increase salaries in the Topeka Police Department by 17% next year and 5% in each of the two following years.

Council members on Tuesday debated the the amount of the increase but appeared swayed by data from the interim police chief showing Topeka has fallen behind its peers in beginning salaries.

Police personnel budget increases 33% over the next three years

Over the next three years, personnel costs for the police department would increase 33% and would go from this year's budget of $27,026,695 to $35,929,243 for 2027.

In the first year, the budget will increase 17%, then 5% the second year and another 5% in the third year.

The police department has 276 positions, with 40 of those vacant. The salary gap for employees in the union has increased from similar cities. Documents accompanying the meeting's agenda packet say the pay agreement should help fill vacant positions.

"Officers look at that dollar amount when they're shopping," interim police chief Jamey Haltom said. "We used to have a candidate pool, and for years now, we've had a candidate puddle."

In addition, the agreement increases holiday pay from time and a half to two times the regular pay. Another provision addressed work comp issues and leave related to mental health trauma.

What did city officials have to say?

Councilman David Banks said he struggled with approving the 17% personnel budget increase for the first year in the three-year contact. He also said he doesn't see how the comparison of Topeka's salaries could be that far off from other cities similar to Topeka.

Haltom said the police department compares to other cities they compete against in recruiting.

He said in Topeka the salary of a first-year police officer is on average $53,000, compared to salaries at the following agencies:

• Kansas Highway Patrol: $68,000.
• Lawrence Police Department: $60,000.
• Kansas City, Kansas: $60,000.

Councilman Marcus Miller said he fully supports the pay raises.

Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcalá said the Topeka Police Department is larger than what the Federal Bureau of Investigation recommends. She said FBI data indicates a city of Topeka's size would need 200 officers.

She went on to say the city needs to reimagine the way the police department is used and deploy more mental health professionals.

"We need to consider hiring a third-party contracting or hiring the professionals for mental health," Valdivia-Alcalá said. "That means white mental health professionals, Black mental health professionals and brown mental health professionals.

"This will place less stress on Topeka police officers in a realm they are not adequately trained for, nor should they have to pick up the pieces in this broken mental health system."

Councilman Brett Kell said bringing up competitive wages would help attract a new chief of police.

Councilman Spencer Duncan said supporting the police department is a large cost and properly financing employee wages will lead to a larger overall budget.

"Obviously anytime we talk to citizens, they want us to support our police department and rightfully so," Duncan said. "We need to. Safety is one of our core priorities. That comes with a big price tag these days. It does and I hope the citizens understand that as we get into our budget talk and they wonder why we've had a big budget increase in terms of salaries and wages, this is why."

Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz asked the interim chief to tell the police officer to understand the council is not taking this decision lightly and the police department needs to have a healthier more respectful environment.

"This is a decision we did not take lightly and in that we expect them to respect our citizens no matter who they are, no matter where they fall, no matter what category they're in, from the homeless to the rich," Ortiz said. "And we expect them to respect each other. I'll tell you what, if I have two more officers come to me and say: 'We are not respecting each other. Why would we want to work for that?' I will make it a point to come back and pull this contract."

Mayor Michael Padilla thanked the interim police chief for all the hard work in this contract. He said it's vital for the police department to have a give-and-take respect with the community.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka Police Department members to see 17% raises next year, and more to follow