<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><span></span></div><div dir="ltr">Before the Moscow City Council votes themselves another pay raise, how about looking after our city’s peace-keepers?<div><br></div><div>Courtesy of today’s (May 2, 2019) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.</div><div><br></div><div>———————————————</div><div><br></div><div><h1 itemprop="headline" class="headline" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 42px; margin: 0px 100px 0px 0px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.1; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our View: Moscow's lack of cops all about the Benjamins</span></h1></div><div><br></div><div><div>The Moscow Police Department is down six officers.</div><div><br></div><div>Moscow Police Chief James Fry called it the largest officer shortage he has seen in his 24-year career with the department.</div><div><br></div><div>While one of those vacant positions will be filled by a recruit currently working his or her way through the hiring and training hoops, the officer shortage is a problem that is not going away overnight and without some major investments.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The problem is not that Moscow is an undesirable community to work and live in or that the department has a negative culture. Neither appears to be the case.</div><div><br></div><div>Instead, Fry attributes the shortage to retirements, resignations and a lack of applicants - and poor pay is a major factor in two of those three reasons.</div><div><br></div><div>Fry said it's getting to the point he - the chief of police - may have to begin responding to calls if the staff dwindles any further.</div><div><br></div><div>That's no lie.</div><div><br></div><div>The staff at the Daily News couldn't have been the only ones to see Fry working traffic the night of last month's flood.</div><div><br></div><div>Workers typically get paid less in Idaho, but that discrepancy is amplified by the fact that Moscow is located directly on the border with Washington and only 7 miles away is Washington State University and Pullman, where officers make much more for the same job.</div><div><br></div><div>That short journey could mean an extra $1,418 per month for an officer. The Pullman Police Department pays its starting officers $5,526 a month, while Moscow offers about $4,108.</div><div><br></div><div>That puts Pullman officer's annual salary at $66,312. It is just $49,296 for Moscow officers - and that may seem like a decent wage, but considering the crazy hours and dangers and stress these officers face daily, it is not nearly adequate.</div><div><br></div><div>Both the PPD and MPD are seeking new officers, but while Pullman received 20 applications for four positions in December, Moscow, unshockingly, isn't seeing as many.</div><div><br></div><div>A smaller applicant pool only means fewer options and not as many qualified candidates. Slim pickings is not something that should dictate a city's safety.</div><div><br></div><div>The board has not taken a position on the bond for a new police station, but such a space - along with higher salaries - could be the recruiting tool the department has been waiting for.</div><div><br></div><div>But, maybe some prefer the 9,600-square-foot building that was used as a creamery up until 1968.</div></div><div><br></div><div>———————————————<br><br><div id="AppleMailSignature" dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Trump”</span></div><div><a href="http://www.tomandrodna.com/MoscowCares/Songs/Donald_Trump/Youre_a_Mean_One_Mr_Trump.mp3">http://www.tomandrodna.com/MoscowCares/Songs/Donald_Trump/Youre_a_Mean_One_Mr_Trump.mp3</a></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></body></html>