The rate of Atlanta police officers leaving the department has been dropping since 2008. That year, the attrition rate was 6.2%. In 2011, it was 4.2%. The police department and its fundraising arm have been focusing on the issue. The head of Atlanta’s police union applauds the efforts but says more needs to be done.
When asked why they’re leaving the Atlanta Police Department, money is the first reason officers give during their in exit interviews.
“Most of them check off the block pay as number one,” said Atlanta Police Foundation president Dave Wilkinson. “But, it’s our belief that pay is never really the overwhelming reason they leave.”
Ken Allen disagrees. The APD investigator and police union president has been worked for the department for 27 years.
“Those that leave that I’ve built a relationship with generally always state money,” said Allen. “Not getting the pay raises, not feeling appreciated by the city, not feeling supported by the city.”
Allen says the department used to tell employees they shall receive pay raises as long they meet minimum performance standards.
“That verbiage was changed to may,” said Allen. “Every time it comes up that there’s a budget crunch, the may becomes you won’t and we don’t receive pay raises.”
That happened during former Mayor Shirley Franklin’s second term. The economy led to citywide cuts including the police department. Mayor Kasim Reed and city council have approved pension reductions aimed at making the city more solvent. However, Reed and the council did give officers an across the board 3% raise in 2010.
Allen credits Reed for his public safety focus. The city plans to hire 60 officers by the end of year. That would give APD a force of 2,000 officers. In addition, Allen says the city needs to set aside annual 2% pay raises.
“If we want to stay at that 2,000 (officer) level and move on, we’re going to have to make some type of commitment like that,” said Allen.
Police Foundation President Dave Wilkinson says the city needs to keep focusing on police officers.
“… to make sure these officers are getting the equipment, the tools, the pay that they need, within reason, to continue to be a world-class police department,” said Wilkinson.
The issue of pay raises is likely to continue into next year when Mayor Reed is expected to run for re-election.
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