Austin Mayor Kirk Watson didn’t take too kindly to Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson’s attempt to recruit Austin police officers who are supposedly mulling retirement in the wake of an impasse in contract discussions.
Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported that Johnson took to Twitter to court the officers to join his city’s force.
“If you work for Austin PD, are still interested in protecting and serving and are considering retiring from the profession, don’t,” he posted. "Come work for the residents of @CityOfDallas by joining @DallasPD. We want and need you.”
Per KVUE, Austin’s present police union contract is set to expire at the end of this month.
The Austin Police Association (APA) asserted that without a new agreement, the Austin Police Department (APD) could see its ongoing staff staffing shortages turn for the worst, the station reported.
City leaders placed a new measure late last month that gives officers their pay and benefits even after the current contract runs its course.
Watson, who’s in his second tenure in Austin’s highest office after serving in the Texas Legislature, said veteran officers would make more in the state capital than they would in the state’s third-largest city, KVUE reported.
“Police officers in Austin are the highest paid in the state, and experienced officers here are making, on average, 17% more than they would in Dallas,” he said in the report. “When you look at the compensation numbers side by side, it begs the question: Who really values officers more?”
Watson added that recruitment and retention woes in law enforcement aren’t just limited to Austin.
According to Austin NBC affiliate KXAN, Austin police is likely to see 77 officer retirements by the beginning of April.
The station reported that the Austin Police Retirement System (APRS) has approved 50 retirement requests with an extra 27 awaiting a signature.
APRS head Pattie Featherston told KXAN that at least 300 officers are currently eligible for retirement.