By Invoice Carey
Police1
PARKIN, Ark. — A small Arkansas city could lose greater than half of its cops after officers rejected approving a pay increase for the police chief.
The Parkin metropolis council voted 4-2 to to not give newly employed Police Chief Jeremy McNeil a $12,000 pay increase, WREG reported. After the vote, the police chief verbally resigned and three different officers threatened to stop.
“For the reason that chief resigned, all of our cops obtained up and form of walked out and mentioned if he’s gone, we’re gone too,” mayor Diane Patterson mentioned. “His wage is barely $26,000. We have now no well being advantages, no retirement, no something for cops.”
Parkin is 120 miles east of Little Rock, with roughly 700 residents. It staffs its police division with seven officers, who obtain between $11 and $12 per hour.
“One thing goes to must be accomplished for the pay,” Patterson mentioned. “As a result of who’s going to placed on a police uniform for $11 an hour when McDonald’s and Walmart and everyone pays greater than that.”
Councilmember Sherry Gillon mentioned her purpose for voting “no” didn’t imply eternally: “Town simply doesn’t have the cash right now. There’s simply such larger wants right here that must be accomplished. You possibly can’t say by no means; we are able to simply say not proper now.”
The Cross County Sheriff’s Workplace will assist reply to emergency calls if the Parkin officers formally stop, in response to Patterson.
