Proposed incentive package for Lawton police chief to be reviewed by City Council committee

A proposed incentive package for the chief of police will be reviewed by a City Council study committee.

The proposal is designed to entice Police Chief James Smith to commit to remaining with the City of Lawton through June 30, 2027, the end of the 2026-2027 fiscal year, said Interim City Manager John Ratliff when he first outlined the proposal last month. Smith has chief of Lawton Police Department since September 2012.

At its heart, the agreement reviewed Tuesday by the council would give $60,000 in retention bonuses over those four years, plus a 7 percent annual pay raise as well as any cost of living raises that general employees receive. The raises will rely on whether funding is available and council approval of annual budget appropriations.

The idea, Ratliff has said, is retaining a department head whose work is a critical part of maintaining public safety, implementing policing strategies and promoting community engagement.

Ward 5 Councilman Allan Hampton said the Employee Matters Committee “vetted information” used for the revised pay schedule/pay raises recently implemented for the city’s other upper management positions, and he believes it should do the same for the police chief’s incentive package. Hampton, the committee chair, said the group will meet next week and will return with a recommendation for the full council.

Other council members agreed to his recommendation with no discussion.

The incentive package would give Smith a 7 percent pay raise on his anniversary date in fiscal years 23-24 (the current year), 2024-2025, 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, at the discretion of the city manager and based on receiving “an annual performance evaluation with an overall ranking of ‘4 – Frequently exceeds performance expectations’ or better.” The provision also states it is “understood that these increases may cause the police chief to exceed the pay range of the pay grade in which his position is classified.”

In addition, provisions provide for a $10,000 retention bonus by June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2027, as long as the chief is still employed by the City of Lawton on June 23, 2024, and June 20, 2027. The retention bonus would be $20,000 for June 30, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

Smith also would be entitled to any cost-of-living increase given to general employees in those years. General employees are those who are not members of the police or fire unions.

The incentive package follows council action earlier this year to revise the pay scale and steps for general employees and executive employees, as part of an effort to bring Lawton pay in line with what peer cities pay. Department heads have said the higher pay also will make it easier to recruit new employees while retaining those already working for the city.

The adjusted pay scale for executive employees was approved recently after council members were satisfied it reflected what peer cities pay similar positions. While salaries were increased, the new executive plan also created a fifth step to address executives who were at or nearing the highest pay step in level 4.

Pay adjustments for both groups went into effect July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.