The Salisbury city Council unanimously decided to seek $65000 to increase salaries for the Police Department.
That’s more than the $400,000 Mayor Jim Ireton and Police Chief Barbara Duncan sought.
This week, Duncan and Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matt Maciarello described a hard working understaffed department with hectic schedules and rookie mistakes.
One high ranking officer told the council that his fellow officers were nearing “the breaking point”.
Council Vice President Debbie Campbell urged the council to hike the request to the $650,000 number to ensure the city has one of the most attractive departments to work for.
The average salary for the Salisbury Police Department is in the mid $30,000 range while other local towns like Ocean City and Pocomoke City pay above $40,000.
The Council has scheduled the first public hearing for this Monday.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports that this was an unusual move for the Council majority that had often slowed or halted the Mayor’s initiatives in the name of fiscal restraint.
