On the eve of city council elections, the Joplin city council Monday night approved an increase in the amount of incentives the city’s police department can offer applicants. Police and fire department salaries have been a hot topic in Joplin this election season.

Joplin Police Department’s Chief Rowland spoke at last night’s city council meeting, first reminding the city council and viewers; the council passed a similar incentive program last May, which had mixed results.

“As the council will remember, you passed the original version of this last May. After its passage, we had four lateral applicants come to work for us; we were hoping for higher numbers than that. This bill would increase the incentive from $5,000 to $10,000 for a lateral officer transferring to Joplin. And move the employee incentive from $1,000 to $2,000.”

Chief Rowland also reminded council members that the city pays the $8,000 cost of the Police academy, in addition to paying officers their $11,000 salary while they attend. The council approved the motion 9 in favor, and zero opposed.