Those interested in becoming a part of the first ever Lathrop Police Department will have until next week to submit their applications as the second round of hiring for police officers’ closes.
Last month the city began the assessment process for the first batch of applicants in the final hiring pool – that of police officers. Lathrop has already hired its police chief, is nearly ready to announce the two commanders that will report to him and are in the process of selecting sergeants that be the first line of administration for the rank-and-file officers.
The filing period for second round of applicants opens on Jan. 10, and those applications will be evaluated before the assessment window – the next step in the process – officially opens.
In order to be competitive and attract qualified applicants, the city is planning to pay police officers between $92,248 and $112,128 annually. Neighboring Manteca, for comparison, has a salary range from $87,054 per year to $122,493 when maxed out. According to the City of Stockton’s newest salary schedule, police officers earn $72,662.04 at the bottom of the schedule, and $93,355.08 near the top – meaning that Lathrop’s starting pay is nearly the same as the top of Stockton’s police officer salary schedule.
According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office website – the agency that currently provides police protection for Lathrop on a contract basis – a deputy sheriff makes between $64,752 annually to $86,796 when capped out. While those numbers are lower than the amount that Lathrop plans on paying its own officers, the city still believes it will be able to save tens of millions of dollars over the life of the contract because they won’t have to pay startup costs or other amounts that have been the focal point of contention between the city and the agency for a number of years.
None of the salaries listed on the official government websites include the benefits packages or retirement packages that are offered to sworn officers.
According to the brochure that the city’s contracted HR consultant prepared for prospective police officers, benefits for the position include retirement through the CalPERS system, up to $1,828 per month in healthcare (medical, dental, vision) costs, and retiree healthcare that is fully vested after 15 years of service and valid from the ages of 55 to 65. The city will also make a Medicare contribution after 65 and will provide an incentive for officers who earn degrees – 2.5 percent above the step salary for an associates, and 5 percent above the step salary for a bachelor’s degree or above.
For additional information, or to view the listing and materials for the position, visit the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us.
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
