A new incentive is coming to the Tucson police department. On Tuesday, the Tucson City Council voted to provide a bonus payout to Tucson Police Department employees who successfully refer a new employee onto the force. 

This new program will give Tucson police officers an opportunity to earn $3,000 when they recruit people to the department. This is a significant increase from the previous bonus amount of $200, and this will be the most money the department has ever rewarded.

This change comes at a time when the Tucson Police Department, along with many other forces throughout the state, is struggling to hire and retain police officers. There is hope that the incentive will help encourage recruitment and retention.

According to Tucson Police Department officials, only one percent of people who begin the application process actually complete training and become an officer.

An officer who refers someone who successfully completes the academy and joins the force will be awarded the $3,000 dollars over an 18-month period.