Seeking to retain its current police officers, the City of Lake Forest is now offering a financial incentive to its current officers through a state grant.
The Lake Forest Police Department is tendering a one-time lump sum 3.5 % retention bonus of an officer’s current salary. The city received the funds through a $142,558 grant from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. In a procedural move, the City Council approved the grant distribution at their July 21 meeting.
“We are trying to stay ahead of the game,” Police Chief John Burke said. “This grant gives us the ability to keep our officers engaged and employed here while we fill out the rest of our ranks.”
To receive the bonus, the police department member must agree to stay on the Lake Forest force for a minimum of 36 months to get the bonus. If the member leaves the department before 36 months, the bonus will have to be repaid.
Burke said all of the eligible officers will take the bonus, and the distribution of the funds is set for August 1.
He added that annual salaries for the sworn officers ranged between $82,729 and $123,596.
City documents indicate officials were interested in the state grant, citing current issues for municipalities hiring and retaining officers due to increased public scrutiny of police, a smaller candidate pool, and both physical and mental health problems.
“Everyone knows across the country there are significant recruitment challenges that exist within the law enforcement industry and that puts an increased emphasis to retain our own talent,” City Manager Jason Wicha said at the July 21 meeting.
Burke said the grant funds could be used for either retention or recruitment, and Lake Forest opted to use the money for retention and is addressing recruitment through other methods.
“It gives us stability,” Burke said. “The job market for candidates in law enforcement is extremely competitive.”
He noted he was recently looking at a website and noticed 90 departments are currently seeking to hire officers in what he labeled a “cut-throat” hiring atmosphere.
Burke said Lake Forest now has 39 officers in its department and they want to get to 41.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
