Benefits & Perks

Technical pay of $1,000.00 per year for officers trained in the following disciplines ($2,000.00 maximum):

Field Training Officer
Canine Officer
SWAT Officer
EVO Instructor
Firearms Instructor
DT Instructor
Accident Investigator
Hostage Negotiator

Specialty pay of $2,000.00 per year:

Clothing Allowance

Officers receive a clothing allowance of $1,300 per year paid in two installments. The first installment is in June and the second in December; both in the amount of $650. The clothing allowance begins at the completion of the officers 1st year of employment and may be pro-rated based upon city ordinance specifications regarding the date of hire.

Deferred Compensation

Deferred Compensation that the City contributes $1.00 for each $1.00 that an officer contributes to his or her 457(b) account up to $50.00 per pay.

Shift Differential

Shift Differential is paid to officers working the middle and late shift after completing Field Training and receiving permanent shift assignment.

Shift Assignments

Shift assignments are decided following a bidding process that occurs during November and December of each year and is based upon seniority. During your probationary year shift assignment is at the discretion of the Patrol Captain.

Take Home Cars

Statewide usage for Departmental cars. Take home cars will be assigned at the direction of the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police takes into consideration several different factors. You will be notified, based on your particular circumstances, when you will receive a take home car.

Residency

There are no residency requirements effective July 1st, 2023. Any officer residing more than fifty (50) miles from the closest boundary of the city where the police department is located will not be assigned a take home car.

Salary breakdown

Reference the chart below for annual salary information for a Lawrence Merit Police Officer or for someone obtaining employment as a Lawrence Merit Police Officer. Compensation rates are shown for those who are an Indiana Law Enforcement Officer who are currently certified as a Tier 1 Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Graduate and have had continued (no break in employment) enforcement experience.

Figures below represent 2024 information.

1st Year LPD Probationary Officer (Less than 3 years of Indiana Law Enforcement Experience):

$ 0

1st Year LPD Probationary Officer (More than 3 years of Indiana Law Enforcement Experience):

$ 0

2nd Year Patrol Officer:

$ 0

Longevity pay: Officers will receive .75% of base salary of 1st class patrol officer per year years 4 through 25. Years 26 through 32 will increase $100.00 per year.

Years of Service	.45% Longevity $64,750.40
4	$291.38
5	$582.75
6	$874.13
7	$1,165.51
8	$1,456.88
9	$1,748.26
10	$2,039.64
11	$2,331.01
12	$2,622.39
13	$2,913.77
14	$3,205.14
15	$3,496.52
16	$3,787.90
17	$4,079.28
18	$4,370.65
19	$4,662.03
20	$4,953.41
21	$5,053.41
22	$5,153.41
23	$5,253.41
24	$5,353.41
25	$5,453.41
26	$5,553.41
27	$5,653.41
28	$5,753.41
29	$5,853.41
30	$5,953.41
31	$6,053.41
32	$6,153.41

Years of Service	.55% Longevity
Years of Service	$67,995.20
4	$373.97
5	$747.95
6	$1,121.92
7	$1,495.89
8	$1,869.87
9	$2,243.84
10	$2,617.82
11	$2,991.79
12	$3,365.76
13	$3,739.74
14	$4,113.71
15	$4,487.68
16	$4,861.66
17	$5,235.63
18	$5,609.60
19	$5,983.58
20	$6,357.55
21	$6,457.55
22	$6,557.55
23	$6,657.55
24	$6,757.55
25	$6,857.55
26	$6,957.55
27	$7,057.55
28	$7,157.55
29	$7,257.55
30	$7,357.55
31	$7,457.55
32	$7,557.55

Years of Service	.65% Longevity
Years of Service	71,385.60
4	$464.01
5	$928.01
6	$1,392.02
7	$1,856.03
8	$2,320.03
9	$2,784.04
10	$3,248.04
11	$3,712.05
12	$4,176.06
13	$4,640.06
14	$5,104.07
15	$5,568.08
16	$6,032.08
17	$6,496.09
18	$6,960.10
19	$7,424.10
20	$7,888.11
21	$7,988.11
22	$8,088.11
23	$8,188.11
24	$8,288.11
25	$8,388.11
26	$8,488.11
27	$8,588.11
28	$8,688.11
29	$8,788.11
30	$8,888.11
31	$8,988.11
32	$9,088.11