Possible Pay Boost for SF Police Living in Town

At tonight’s council meeting, City Councilor Bill Dimas introduced a measure to boost pay for police officers living in the City Different.

The proposal would also make it mandatory for new recruits to live within a 15 mile radius of the city.

Dimas said the goal is to encourage more Santa Fe police officers to make their homes in Santa Fe. Only about 22 percent of the city’s police officers now live within city limits. Many travel from locales such as Rio Rancho and Albuquerque under a generous policy that allows them to commute up to 120 miles a day on the city’s dime.

Under Dimas’ measure, current police officers would be allowed to continue to use their patrol cars to commute. Those willing to make their homes in town would get a 15 percent incentive bonus.

If his policy is enacted, most of the city’s police force will eventually reside within the 15 mile radius, Dimas said.