LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Now that elections are in the rearview, central Arkansas cities are focusing in on future budgets— which could include salary raises and new patrol cars for local police.
The focus on law enforcement support comes as police stations across the county, including here in Arkansas, have seen recruitment and staffing shortages.
North Little Rock and Little Rock are both looking to solve that issue with more competitive starting salaries for police.
North Little Rock approved a new budget on Monday night to push salaries up by close to $6,000 (posting the new 2023 entry-level salary at $48,000 compared to the previously shared 2022 base at $42,240).
Little Rock City Director Dean Kumpuris proposed a similar raise on Tuesday, to measure up to Arkansas State Police pay— however that vote was deferred and scheduled for two weeks from now.
"There's no urgency about it other than to say that we're taking public safety seriously," Kumpuris said at the board meeting.
According to the Little Rock resolution and current North Little Rock Police posted salaries, starting salaries are as follows:
Little Rock Police: $44,636.80
North Little Rock Police: $48,000
Arkansas State Police: $54,000
Kumpuris also proposed financial support for Little Rock Police resources— including 50 additional patrol cars and a new evidence storage facility.
"We're 150 police cars short of what we need right now we don't have a property room that works," Kumpuris said.
And while Mayor Frank Scott Jr. offered no comment on Tuesday, last Friday he shared that police support was a big part of his bid for re-election.
"We've been focusing on a holistic, comprehensive approach of targeted patrols and high crime areas, increase community police presence," Scott Jr said.