SCOTT CITY PLANS TO RAISE POLICE OFFICERS' SALARIES

SCOTT CITY -- A former Scott City police officer received a $6,600 annual pay hike this week. He went to work for the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

John Haverstick, the former officer, was at Scott City's entry-level salary of $12,716. Three other Scott City officers also receive that amount.

"I'm looking to get married someday, and I want to be able to support a family," Haverstick said. "I just couldn't do that on what Scott City was paying."

A police officer in Chaffee, eight miles away and having 1,200 fewer people, receives a starting salary of $15,606. An officer in East Prairie, which has about 800 fewer people than Scott City, makes $13,000 per year.

A recent survey showed that Scott City's salaries were not very good in comparison with area cities, said Scott City Administrator John Saxton.

"That's exactly why the council is wanting to make a change," Saxton said. "They are sensitive to the fact that some of the salaries are not very livable. We want our police officers to do better so that's why the council is addressing this."

An open meeting of the city's finance committee to study the survey and draft proposals is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. today at city hall.

Other area cities having a population within 1,000 people of Scott City's 4,292 have these starting salaries: Malden, $16,640, and Ste. Genevieve, $17,056. Charleston, with a population of 5,085, pays its public safety officers at least $340 per week, or $17,690.

Saxton said the salary survey was collected last month. When the information was available, the survey showed salaries at the entry level, the first step increase, mid-points and maximums, as well as health insurance benefits, vacation and retirement plans.

The survey was also completed for public works employees. A new Scott City employee recently started his job in the water department at the same amount as a beginning police officer.

"We want to be competitive with other salaries," said Saxton, who was directed by the city council to upgrade salaries.

As for police officers, Saxton said, "We don't want to be just a training ground; we want our officers to be better paid."

Chaffee Police Chief Jerry Bledsoe said his officers receive a $1,000 annual increase after one year of duty. In addition, the council usually grants a cost-of-living raise at the beginning of each fiscal year.

"If salaries go up around us, we may not be able to keep everyone," said Bledsoe, who has served three years in the appointed position. "People go where the money is, but money in Southeast Missouri for law enforcement has never been very good."

In addition to the $13,000 per year salary, East Prairie officers receive about $4,800 annually in benefits, said Police Chief Richard Gregory, who has held his elected position since 1982.

East Prairie's starting pay of $250 per week was raised to that amount over a year ago, Gregory said. His veteran patrolmen can earn up to $305 per week, or $15,860 annually.

Gregory said his turnover is low. He has lost one officer to Sikeston in each of the last three years. Sikeston's pay for its public safety officers ranges from $16,575 to $23,324.

Charleston's public safety officers receive an increase of $1,000 in their salaries after three years, said Bob Ritchey, who was hired as police chief in 1972 and named director of public safety for both police and fire in 1978. After six years of employment, his officers receive another $1,000 annual raise and earn $19,690.

At the beginning of the fiscal year, Charleston officers usually receive some kind of percentage raise, Ritchey said. He said he has had little turnover in his department during the past five years. His salary and benefits package is good enough to attract qualified personnel, he said.

Perryville Police Chief Eugene Besand can start new police officers at $19,781, which is comparable to what the city of Cape Girardeau pays, he said. In addition, the salary for Perryville's new officers can increase to $20,500 within six months.

Perryville's police salaries and benefits have been competitive since 1991, when some pay raises were given, Besand said. His officers usually receive a percentage raise at the beginning of each fiscal year.

"In my opinion, it's helped considerably," Besand said. "I'm able to search out qualified people and offer them a decent wage. We're able to keep personnel for longer periods of time."