Sierra Madre : Higher Pay for New Chief
The City Council began its search for a police chief this week, offering a salary 12.5% higher than retired chief Bill Betts received after 17 years on the job.
Council members last week increased the annual salary to $58,704--still less than any other police chief earns in the San Gabriel Valley. San Marino Chief of Police Frank Wills, the next-highest-paid chief, earns $74,040.
Area police and city officials say Sierra Madre will find it hard to recruit anyone above the rank of sergeant from other departments. A lieutenant with the Arcadia Police Department earns $71,196 annually.
Interim City Administrator Sean Joyce said the city will also use its low crime rate as a selling point. The state ranked the city of 10,800 residents the 21st safest of 485 cities in California.
John Thurman will serve as Sierra Madre’s interim police chief until a new chief is selected.
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