City Council Approves Lateral Incentive Program for Tacoma Police Department
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~ On Tuesday, the Tacoma City Council voted to approve a Lateral Incentive Program for the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) in an effort to address staffing shortages and improve service levels. The program, which is similar to those implemented by police departments across the nation, aims to attract high-quality candidates and reduce reliance on overtime hours.

According to Mayor Victoria Woodards, public safety remains a top priority for the city despite facing tough budget choices. She believes that the Lateral Incentive Program will help strengthen TPD's capacity and continue to protect the community's trust.

Under this program, lateral officers who are hired will receive a $50,000 hiring bonus distributed over two years, as well as additional leave benefits. However, they must still go through TPD's rigorous recruitment process and meet the department's high hiring standards. TPD is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), a distinction held by only two percent of agencies nationwide.

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The Lateral Incentive Program is open to law enforcement officers currently employed in Washington state and commissioned by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC). Interim Police Chief Patti Jackson expressed her gratitude for City Council's support of this program, stating that it will ensure long-term staffing stability at TPD.

Chief Jackson also highlighted the benefits of this program, including more efficient recruitment of experienced officers from across the state, reduced overtime demands, and improved work-life balance for officers and their families. She emphasized that this program will enable TPD to consistently deliver the level of service expected and deserved by the community.

For those interested in learning more about the Lateral Incentive Program or TPD recruitment, information can be found on tacoma.gov/police or by contacting Officer Taylor Reeves at treeves@tacoma.gov or (253) 881-8861. With this new program in place, TPD is hopeful for a stronger and more efficient police force to serve the city of Tacoma.

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