Terms of the agreement new police officers sign when they’re hired by the Glenwood Police Department was the focus of discussion at the May 26 meeting of the Glenwood City Council.
The discussion centered specifically on a stipulation in the agreement that requires officers to reimburse the city for expenses associated with their training and education at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy if they leave the the department within four years of their hiring. The wages the officer is paid while attending the academy is also included in the reimbursement amount.
“When we hire new officers that have not gone through the academy, we pay their education to do that. They sign a reimbursement agreement,” said Glenwood Mayor Angie Winquist. “The agreement is in effect for four years. If they work for us for the entire four years, they don’t pay any of that back, but if they choose to leave within the first year, they pay 100% back. The second year is 75%, the third year 50% and 25% before the fourth.”…