State Rep. Michael Hale, R-Smithville, has proposed legislation ensuring certified campus police and public safety officers receive supplemental annual training pay, similar to bonuses already granted to law enforcement each year.
Police, campus police and public safety officers all complete the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) commission certification training and meet identical requirements under current law, (TCA § 38-8-107(d)).
“These men and women are protecting our most valuable asset—our children,” Hale said.
House Bill 0008 would provide an $800 annual training pay supplement.
To qualify, eligible officers must complete the same annual in-service training as public police officers.
The P.O.S.T. Commission, the state agency responsible for employment standards and training for law enforcement agencies, would allocate funds to the appropriate institutions, boards and schools, ensuring the bonuses are paid to campus and public safety officers.
“By providing this supplemental pay, we can help these departments offer compensation that aligns with other law enforcement agencies, making it easier to recruit new officers,” Hale said. “This is the right thing to do for these officers and our colleges across the state.”
