Bedford Police Wages Increase Amid 'Critical' Staff Shortage

BEDFORD, NH — Amid a critical shortage of police officers in Bedford, the Town Council has approved raising wages for entry-level officers in an effort to attract and retain new hires. The measure comes during a time when a shrinking pool of candidates are interested in a law enforcement career, while the town competes against larger neighboring communities for qualified candidates. Starting July 1, police officers who are just starting their careers will have a higher wage and other incentives in Bedford that aim to attract and keep them in town.

According to Police Chief John Bryfonski, the shortage is an "acute, critical issue." The Bedford Police Department, which would have 40 sworn officers if fully staffed, currently has seven vacancies — a staffing shortage of almost 20 percent. And one of the officers is considering leaving Bedford for a job at the Manchester Police Department, he said. In the past two years, six Bedford police officers have retired, and two have left town to go to another police department, said Bryfonski.

On Wednesday, the Town Council approved Bryfonski's request to raise the wages of entry-level officers and to provide them additional incentives to stay in Bedford. Among the incentives is the $10,000 sign-on bonus for new hires, which the officers would have to pay back if they voluntarily leave the department within five years, and a $2,500 referral program.

Starting July 1, wages for starting officers will go up from about $49,000 to just over $50,000 a year, said Bryfonski. The increase is to remain competitive against other communities that are offering higher pay in a time when fewer people consider a police career.

According to Bryfonski, the struggle to keep the Police Department adequately staffed is not unique to Bedford. He said a stronger economy is one of the factors why many qualified candidates prefer to enter the private sector, where they can apply for many lucrative jobs that pay much higher than a local police department. Another factor, he said, is media attention that has cast a negative light on law enforcement in recent years.

In addition to raising the starting pay for officers, the Town Council has approved a higher salary for the police prosecutor. Bryfonski said the prosecutor's pay increase is to maintain a salary that is equitable and in line with what neighboring departments pay, and what other employees of hte Bedford department are being paid. Police Prosecutor Bill Thornton does a "lion's share of work" at Merrimack District Court, where 65 percent of cases come from Bedford, said Bryfonski. He said Thornton, who has been with the Bedford Police Department 13 years, is now also responsible for presenting indictment cases for the grand jury for the entire county.

To allow for the pay raises and added incentives, the Town Council agreed to change the previously approved collective bargaining agreement with the town's police union. Town officials say these measures will not cost additional money to the town; rather, the Police Department will use funds already in the budget to accommodate these incentives.