NATIONAL CITY OKS NEW-COP BONUS

Current police officer with another department gets $30K to join city’s force

National City, with one of the highest-paid police departments in San Diego County, has approved a bonus program designed to attract more experienced officers.

The incentive gives police academy graduates or officers from other law enforcement agencies a $30,000 hiring bonus to work for the South County city’s Police Department. City Council members unanimously approved the program earlier this month and it will run through December 2024.

A police officer who joins National City will get a $30,000 bonus: $10,000 at hiring, $10,000 after completing their probation period and another $10,000 after two years service.

Laterals are those who have a California Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training Certificate and have already finished their probationary period with another police department. Recruits have no police experience and typically attend a sixmonth academy. National City spends approximately $75,000 per recruit to cover their salary, benefits and academy. Recruits also spend anywhere between five to seven months with a trainer before they are out on their own.

By hiring lateral officers who are already trained instead of recruits, the city expects to save about $45,000 per new hire, said Molly Brennan, administrative services director with the city.

Mayor Ron Morrison said the bonus program allows the Police Department to stay competitive and avoid the possibility of investing in recruits who do not complete the academy.

National City police officers receive a base annual salary between $83,900 and $107,000, according to the city. A 2022 survey showed National City among the county’s top five highest-paid law enforcement agencies.

With ongoing police shortages, many law enforcement agencies