We Need Policemen Not Physicist

Let's not get excited here and do something we'll later regret. Our inability to attract candidates isn't because we don't pay enough. Councilman Bill Boyd surprised me with his last suggestion. The latest proposal by the councilman is to offer a $10,000 signing bonus and $5000 for relocation expenses. Some council members are going to want to go for that I bet. If by some chance it passes. What we'll end up with is a whole lot of wannabe administrators. Who still won't solve the city's dilemma.That's if they even choose to stay. There is no need to give away the farm trying to get people to apply for the job. If people have the capability and skills to earn $65'000 a yr., how long are they going to settle for $40,000 or less? As soon as that big payday presents itself, they're going to be gone. I can't say I blame them.

I think this residency thing would handle itself if they did what really needed to be done. I wish the councilman would not use this as a publicity horse to mobilize their base. The main issue is, they need to come up with a way to stop the hemorrhaging of tax dollars leaving the city. I know of two things that will make that happen. That can be achieved with instituting a payroll tax or building toll-booths. I prefer toll-booths myself. That's another story though.

Memphis is competitive with the surrounding areas. The starting pay for an officer with no experience is $34,279. With the proposed incentives that works out to about $50,000 annualy. That's the starting pay for an inexperienced physicist looking for a job With the economy being what it is right now. Over qualified people will probably be coming from everywhere. The question is "will they stay"? There must be a mistake in the published anouncement. We need police not physicist.