PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Administrators at Temple University said a new campus police contract offering hefty raises should help recruit more officers to the force.
Temple is beefing up its campus police salaries in a new five-year labor contract negotiated this summer. Officers get 3% raises and anniversary raises, with the salary for an officer with five years' experience starting at $100,000.
Interim Vice President of Public Safety Denise Wilhelm said this makes Temple officers' pay competitive with other police departments.
"Not only Philadelphia but agencies within Philadelphia and the surrounding area to attract new officers but also to retain officers," Wilhelm said.
Temple is facing an $85 million deficit, but President John Fry said if the university is to attract students, it can't afford not to invest in safety.
"Public safety has to be a top priority because we need to change the perception of safety on this campus and in these neighborhoods," Fry said.
Temple has 79 officers now. A safety consultant's report recommended that Temple hire 29 more in the coming years.
