DARLINGTON, S.C. — The Darlington Police Department has eight positions to fill following a pay raise given to state law enforcement.
“The governor has just signed bills to raise law enforcement’s salaries — that doesn’t cover city or county agencies, that just covers state positions and [with] the salaries that the state [is] offering we’ll lose officers to the state,” Darlington Chief of Police James Davis Jr. said.
The bill has not only affected Darlington, but other non-state agencies across South Carolina.
Due to the lack of officers at the moment, calls are having to be completed quickly, leaving less time to be thorough. It has also become difficult for officers to use their vacation time.
The Darlington Police Department has been given a pay raise. Compared to this time last year, the department’s pay has increased by 31 percent.
People are also reading…
Uncertified applicant’s pay will start at $40,000, certified officers can make up to $42,500 and above. The department is also seeking a sergeant whose starting pay would be $50,000.
“With the increase in salary the city has given the police department, it will put us closer to other agencies — what other agencies are getting,” Davis said.
The vacancies in the department are mostly because of the amount officers were being paid as well as new job opportunities that officers took.
Davis said that the shortage is adding stress to the officers and taking away their family time.
“The primary responsibility of a Police Officer is to protect life and property, preserve law and order, and keep the peace,” Captain Kimberly Nelson wrote. “We promote safety and wellbeing through the enforcement of local, state, and federal laws in a manner consistent with the mission and goals of the City of Darlington.”
