(KETV/Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The City Council in Council Bluffs, Monday night, passed a measure that allows the City’s Police Chief to offer a $10,000 hiring bonus, in hopes of receiving more qualified job applicants for Police Officers. The City’s law enforcement agency, like so many others across the country, is struggling to hire more officers. On the Council’s agenda prior to their vote to approve officials with the Police Department noted “The Council Bluffs Police Department has experienced difficulty in obtaining a sufficient number of qualified candidates to serve as police officers. The applicants that have been showing interest, have typically not been certified law enforcement officers at the time of hire and are required to spend several months upon the start of their employment with the city to become certified.”

The $10,000 will be given to individuals who are already certified law enforcement officers when hired. According to the department, it takes about $9,045 per candidate to train an officer to obtain certification. On Monday night, the city council estimated the department has about six openings with four current applicants. It’s unclear if any of those applicants would qualify for the bonus.

“Hiring certified officers is a win-win situation allowing the department to get experienced officers into and through the field training more efficiently. It also enhances our continuity of service by ensuring well-trained and experienced members are out serving the public,” the agenda item said.

The incentive goes into effect immediately and lasts through June 2024. Applications for Police Officers in Council Bluffs are being accepted through April 20, 2023.