HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 28 - Police Officer Hiring Bonus Program Police Department
www.santa-ana.org/departments/police/
Item # 28
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
July 19, 2022
TOPIC: Police Officer Hiring Bonus Program
AGENDA TITLE:
Police Officer Hiring Bonus Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a resolution approving a Police Officer Hiring Bonus program in a total amount not
to exceed $100,000, offering up to $10,000 per officer.
DISCUSSION
Similar to most law enforcement agencies throughout the state and county, the Santa
Ana Police Department (SAPD) is attempting to fill vacancies for the position of sworn
police officer. The biggest challenge facing the department is the significant decline in
applicants since 2020. A recent report completed by department personnel on April 26
of this year indicates, “the Department has realized a 60% reduction in police officer
applications since 2020, and a 34% reduction in the number of applicants entering the
background process since 2021.”
A national recruitment trend is the offering of a hiring bonus ranging from $5,000 to
$40,000. Locally, the Anaheim Police Department is currently offering $15,000 and
appears to have recruited a half dozen officers from a neighboring agency. Below is an
example of some of the agencies currently offering a hiring bonus:
Agency Amount Terms
Alameda Police
Department $30,000
$10,000 upon completion of field training
program; $10,000 after one year of
service; $10,000 after second year of
service
Anaheim Police
Department
$15,000 -
$20,000
$5,000 upon first full pay period following
first date of employment; $5,000 upon
successful completion of field training
program; $5,000 upon successful
Police Officer Hiring Bonus Program
July 19, 2022
Page 2
2
8
3
4
completion of probation; ($5,000
additional military veteran incentive)
Bay Area Rapid Transit $15,000 $5,000 upon hire; $10,000 upon
completion of field training program
Buena Park Police
Department $5,000
$2,500 upon hire; $2,500 upon completion
of field training program and eighteen-
month probationary period
Colton Police Department $15,000
$2,500 upon hire; $2,500 upon completion
of field training program and six months;
$5,000 after completion of probation;
$5,000 after one-year anniversary of
probation
Redding Police
Department $40,000
$20,000 upon hire; $10,000 upon
completion of field training program;
$10,000 after completion of one-year
probation
San Francisco Police
Department $5,000 $5,000 upon completion of field training
program
The introduction of a signing bonus for new hires will bolster our efforts and falls in line
with the prevailing trend throughout the state. It is recommended the City of Santa Ana
implement a hiring bonus of $10,000 for police officers, which is competitive with
neighboring agencies. Eligibility for this program will be limited to only new police officer
applicants who apply after adoption of the program. For new police officers (recruits and
academy graduates), the bonus would be paid out incrementally as follows:
$2,500 paid upon first full pay period following the first date of employment
$2,500 paid upon successful completion of field training program (12-22 weeks)
$5,000 paid upon successful completion of probation (one year from date of hire)
For lateral police officers, the bonus would be paid out incrementally as follows:
$5,000 paid upon first full pay period following the first date of employment
$5,000 paid upon successful completion of probation (one year from date of hire)
Police Officer Hiring Bonus Program
July 19, 2022
Page 3
2
8
3
4
This program will be publicized in the SAPD recruitment flyers, Governmentjobs.com
postings, at job fairs, on social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), Nixle
alert, and on the City’s website. This initial pilot program funding will assist in recruiting
and hiring ten police officers. If the program is successful and additional funds are
necessary, a future request will be presented for Council consideration.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $100,000 will be transferred from the Police Department’s Field
Operations Salaries Overtime account to the Human Resources, Signing Bonus account
no. (01114402-61045) for expenditure. All committed funds unpaid by the end of the
fiscal year shall be carried forward for expenditure in FY 2023-24.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Resolution
2. Program Flyer
Submitted By: David Valentin, Police Chief
Approved By: Kristine Ridge, City Manager
Resolution 2022-xxx
Page 1 of 2
TB 7.19.2022
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-xxx
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SANTA ANA APPROVING A POLICE OFFICER HIRING
BONUS PROGRAM FOR POLICE OFFICER APPLICANTS IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines
and declares as follows:
A. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Ana recognizes the need
to hire and fill Police Officer positions; and
B. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Ana understands the
growing demand across the state for Police Officers; and
C. WHEREAS, the introduction of a signing bonus for new hires through this
initial pilot program will bolster the Santa Ana Police Department’s efforts to recruit and
retain new Police Officers.
D. WHEREAS, the Santa Ana Police Department will create a reasonable
tiered payment program in connection with the hiring bonuses.
Section 2. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the
City of Santa Ana hereby approves the Police Officer Hiring Bonus Program for Police
Officers as set forth in the accompanying Staff Report, attached hereto and made a part
hereof in an amount not to exceed $100,000.
Section 3. If section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this
Resolution is for any reason held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Resolution. The City
Council hereby declares that it would have passed and adopted this Resolution, and each
and all provisions hereof, irrespective of the fact that one or more provisions may be
declared invalid.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the
City Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this
Resolution.
Resolution 2022-xxx
Page 2 of 2
ADOPTED this day of July 2022.
Vicente Sarmiento
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By:
Tamara Bogosian
Sr. Assistant City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers_______________________________________
NOES: Councilmembers_______________________________________
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers_______________________________________
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers_______________________________________
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, DAISY GOMEZ, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No. 2022-XXX to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of
the City of Santa Ana on .
Date:
Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana
SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
POLICE OFFICER
$73,320 - $112,104
$10,000 BONUS FOR ALL NEWPOLICE OFFICERS HIRED
2.5% - 5% Bilingual Pay5% - 15% Educational PayGroup Medical/Dental/Vision PlansTuition Reimbursement for College Courses up to$1500/yrMilitary Reserve Friendly EmployerExpedited Testing AvailableCompressed Work Schedule (3/12's or 4/10's) Veterans May Be Eligible for Military Bonus Points
A REWARDING CAREER
EXHIBIT 2