LAWRENCE — Four new police officers will be hired and all public safety employees — police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel — will get raises under a plan advanced by Mayor Dean Jessup and unanimously approved by the Lawrence Common Council.
The action means Lawrence will field 62 officers, its largest police force ever. In addition, all public safety personnel will receive 5 percent raises, effective July 1.
“This unanimous vote represents a great step forward for Lawrence,” Mayor Jessup said. “Members of the Common Council set aside partisan politics and adopted a stance of cooperation and commitment — the very attitude that is needed for Lawrence to continue to progress.
“Nothing is more important than protecting Lawrence residents, businesses and visitors. The Common Council demonstrated tonight that, together, we make Lawrence strong.”
The city will pay for the officers and raises with money generated since Jan. 1 from an increase in the public-safety income tax. The City-County Council in Indianapolis/Marion County last September raised the tax from 0.35 percent to 0.5 percent, effective Jan. 1, to generate an additional $29 million a year. Marion County municipalities other than Indianapolis are sharing $1.9 million, including $860,000 this year for Lawrence.