The Columbia Police Department is currently 41 officers short, according to CPD assistant chief Jeremiah Hunter. Columbia Police Officers Association (CPOA) president Matt Nichols is concerned about that number and about staffing levels. Mr. Nichols joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning, telling listeners that one detective left the department because of the way the community is leaning. Mr. Nichols and CPOA are also disappointed because Columbia’s city council has not allocated any federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars as premium/hazard pay for law enforcement officers and other essential workers who were unable to work from home during the COVID pandemic. Mr. Nichols tells listeners that one-time money would help retain Columbia Police officers, as well as bus drivers and garbage collectors. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe has noted Columbia’s city council approved a fiscal year 2024 budget in September that saw an across-the-board increase in pay, and an increase in starting salary for police officers. While Mr. Nichols acknowledges those two points, he says inflation has eaten a lot of that raise:
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