Police Retention Program (2019 LGAA)

City of Poughkeepsie (Winner)
County: Dutchess County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
City Hall: (607) 324-7421

The City of Poughkeepsie developed the Police Retention Program to address the problem of out-migration of city police officers to higher paying positions in other municipalities. By completing an in-depth analysis of the police department and working with the PBA, the City was able to restructure the salary, benefits and full-strength requirements of the collective bargaining agreement to reduce the number of officers who leave the department. The program will not only reduce the costs of training and overtime, but will allow the City to rebuild its Community Policing and School Resources Officer initiatives which have such a positive impact on quality-of-life.