Irwin offers $5,000 bonus for new cops to stay on the job

Police officers hired by Irwin will have an incentive to stay on the job four years — an incentive worth $5,000.

Irwin police Chief Dan Wensel had suggested to council that it create a signing bonus program for any officer hired next year as a way of retaining new officers. The borough frequently hires new officers only to have them leave the force within a few years for a job with a larger police department.

Wensel said he was hired 24 years ago and, in that time, about 61 officers have worked as police officers for the borough, with few retirements. During Wensel’s tenure, former Lt. Mike Thomas, a longtime officer, retired in August, and former Chief John Karasek retired in 2012.

“I don’t want to be a training academy,” Wensel said of his experience training new hires only to watch them go to other departments.

The borough included a line item for a $5,000 bonus for new police officers in its tentative 2025 budget, which council introduced this week. That would be enough money for a bonus for two officers in 2025, said Shari Martino, borough manager.

The bonus system is structured so that a new officer hired in 2025 would be given a $2,500 bonus. If the officer remains on the job for two more years, they would receive another $2,500. But, if they leave within the first two-year period or the second two-year period, they would have repay a portion of that bonus, depending upon how many months remain out of that two-year period.

It is not unusual for small-town police departments in Westmoreland County to lose officers to bigger departments in neighboring communities.

Wensel said he is not aware of any other police department in Westmoreland to offer such a bonus to retain their officers, but it has been used in some communities in Allegheny County.

A spokesperson for the Westmoreland County Chiefs of Police Association could not be reached for comment.

“I think it is a great idea. I think ($5,000) could keep an officer for two years. That is what the chief recommends,” said Councilman Shawn Stitely.

Even with a $5,000 sign-on bonus, Stitely said, he does not think that money would deter a police officer from seeking another higher-paying job at departments such as North Huntingdon, Plum Borough or Penn Township.

Irwin just hired a police officer, Ryan Krause, in August. The starting salary for Irwin police officers is $28.25 per hour plus benefits, as outlined in the police officers’ contract with the borough.

Councilman Ron Rometo suggested increasing the sign-on bonus to $7,500, which would make another job offer less attractive because an officer would have to repay more money to the borough if they leave for another job.

Wensel said he did not anticipate any of the officers leaving for another job, but he could not be certain if would happen.

“I’d rather be safe than sorry,” Wensel said.