The Dunwoody City Council has endorsed yet another financial boost for its boys and girls in blue, signing off on a 4.25 percent mid-year wage hike set to pad pockets come May 30. According to tthe officials, this latest increase is a follow-up to last year's generous 14 percent bump for law enforcement personnel, including the ranks from patrol officers to lieutenants, marking the seventh pay adjustment for police since 2021.
A staggering salary surge of 44.8 percent since 2021 sees Dunwoody's finest faring well, as the city shows unwavering support in the face of financial facts and figures – Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton affirms, "During planning for the 2024 budget, Dunwoody's Mayor and City Council members made a commitment to look for ways to support our police with salary increases," he further revealed in a statement obtained by the city's news web pages, "This increase continues a pattern of prioritizing public safety in Dunwoody."
Back at the end of 2020, a novice police officer with just a high school diploma and zero public safety experience was earning $44,567 to kick off their career. As of May 30, that number jumps to $59,391, blunting the sharp edge of inflation and cost of living hikes. Similarly, officers bearing a bachelor's degree alongside five years on the job, who previously made $49,794, will see a rise to $71,351, courtesy of Dunwoody's generous fiscal strategy.
And it's not just the base salaries getting a boost, Dunwoody's cops are getting a buffet of benefits to boot: an enticing $15,000 signing bonus, an $800-a-month housing allowance for those calling Dunwoody home, completely covered medical insurance plans - with the city shouldering 100% of employee coverage and 90% for their kin's coverage starting from day one, the list extends to employer retirement contributions up to 21.2%, and fully-paid life insurance including accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) as well as short and long-term disability insurances.
Add to that the perk of a personal patrol car to take home, a total of 15 paid holidays per annum, and financial aid for those furthering their education with up to $4,000 in tuition assistance. The city doesn't stop there, rewarding specialized police skills, SWAT operators net an additional $2,500 in pay, while detectives and officers serving in roles such as CID, K-9 units, Crime Response Teams, or Community Outreach rake in an extra $4,000 yearly – all as listed on Dunwoody's official site.
