WPD hopes pay raises boost morale

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department is  trying to address concerns about pay compression within its ranks.

Pay compressions happens when wages are frozen for a time, and when that freeze is lifted, new employees can come in making the same amount of money or more, than long time employees.

It’s been an ongoing issue with Wilmington Police, but a new budget City Council could pass next Tuesday could change that.

“We realize we can’t give them the top but if we can give them competitive salaries we believe it makes for a better workplace, people feel good about what they’re doing, they’re not as stressed about their finances, they’re able to provide. We become competitive with cities our size,” said Linda Rawley, a spokeswoman with the Wilmington Police Department

The department came under fire by its own officers last year for stagnant wages. They hope this move is one step toward addressing that.