Firefighter, Police Salary and Benefit Study Will Cost Laredo, TX, $225,000

Aug. 7—A salary study for Laredo's police and fire departments was discussed this week as Laredo leaders approved the measure.

The $225,000 study will evaluate salaries, benefits, retirement plans and operations within the city's police and fire departments.

In addition to the approved study, Laredo leaders approved the purchase of two bomb squad suits worth up to $98,000. With only two bomb squad-trained officers, discussion resurfaced on Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino's item about collaborating with the Border Mayors Alliance, Homeland Security and other agencies to hire local law enforcement officers from border communities.

The salary study aims to address ongoing challenges in retaining and recruiting qualified police officers and firefighters. However, federal law enforcement agencies are targeting border communities with higher salaries and competitive benefits. Police Chief Miguel Rodriguez said he understands why they're looking at border cities.

"For example HSI (Homeland Security Investigations), they're going to look at individuals who are already law enforcement, Spanish-speaking individuals that have the expertise in what they do, and some of the ones they are looking at are the ones trained to be undercover and do investigative work, and so all that plays into their recruitment," Rodriguez said.

The approved bomb squad suits are intended for two trained officers in an understaffed unit that is supposed to have five members for a city the size of Laredo. The bomb squad also serves many surrounding rural towns in emergencies, including some as far as Hebbronville, about 58 miles away.

According to Rodriguez, the coverage area isn't the only concern — the two officers are nearing retirement, having each served more than 20 years with the department.

The study will also examine competitive compensation. So far, compensation packages may align with those in similar-sized cities in Texas and the region. The review includes base pay, benefits, incentives and career advancement opportunities.

The study is expected to review departmental structures, staffing levels and operational efficiencies to identify potential improvements or cost savings. The scope of the work will include data collection, comparisons with peer cities and input from department leadership and employee representatives. Findings will then be presented to the City Council with recommendations for adjustments to pay scales, benefits and possibly departmental organization.

District V Councilmember Ruben Gutierrez said the study will help show how Laredo compares both statewide and nationally in terms of compensation and staffing.

"We're going to see if our officers and firefighters are underpaid or overpaid, right? It can work either way, and then depending on what the study suggests, we'll go from there," Gutierrez said. "Management will make its recommendation from that point on when we get the study back, and then we'll go from there."

Since the study's approval, the next steps are for the city to issue a request for proposals and select a qualified consultant. The study is expected to begin in a few months, but a timeline for completion and results has not yet been determined.