No Raise Again for LPD
By: Joe Griffin
Updated: April 27, 2009
Lubbock Police once again have been denied a 15 percent raise.
Despite showing up in large numbers to Monday's council meeting, the council tabled the issue 6-1.
Linda DeLeon was the only council member to vote for a raise.
According to the Lubbock Professional Police Association, Lubbock is not recruiting enough cadets to replace the more than 100 officers who will be ready for retirement over the next five years.
Police officials said that's because other departments in Texas pay up to $14,000 more.
Detective Brandon Price said this could create a serious safety issue in the next few years. The force is already down 60 officers.
"You know we didn't let this creep up like the city's water problem, 75 years later," said Price. "We're saying this is a problem and we're planning for the future."
Other association officials said that they feel the city is neglecting the issue.
Mayor Tom Martin denied there being any public safety issue, but said he will meet with association leadership.
The LPPA has sworn to take this up with the council again next month.
