The Lady Lake Town Commission unanimously approved a deal that would assist the Lady Lake Police Department to reach full staffing capacity and make it the highest paid department in Lake County. The new contract with the Police Benevolent Association, the union representing the department, offers a 30% raise across the board and a starting salary of $62,000 per year.
“The recruitment of qualified and dedicated officers has been a challenge for police departments nationwide,” said Police Chief Steve Hunt. “We are grateful to the Town Commission for their unwavering support of the Lady Lake Police Department and for a community that wholeheartedly backs the blue.”
The department has been operating with just 22 of its budgeted 30 officer positions. According to the FBI’s 2019 Uniform Crime Report, the nationwide rate of sworn officers is 2.4 per 1,000 inhabitants. With Lady Lake’s population of 16,179, the Town’s recommended staffing is 39 officers.
Due to recent staffing shortages, hundreds of thousands of dollars from the department’s personnel budget was going unspent and being returned to the general fund annually. This money will now instead be used to boost salaries, allowing the department to become competitive and grow with the Town’s population.
Upwards of 300 new businesses have set up shop in Lady Lake since 2018 and nearly 4,000 new residents are expected to join our community over the next three years.
Recruitment efforts include a professional police recruitment video highlighting the department’s commitment to professional standards and community policing, a new website launching in early 2024, and the PoliceApp.
The PoliceApp online application and recruitment system is designed for police departments and law enforcement job applicants. The app simplifies the application and recruitment process and eliminates process redundancies and frustration. Applicants may apply at https://bit.ly/JoinLLPD.
“Responsible future planning demanded swift and bold measures to draw in qualified police candidates,” said Town Manager Bill Lawrence. “As a result, we are committed to a multi-pronged approach to attract top talent from a nationwide pool. Our residents deserve the best.”
About the Lady Lake Police Department
The Lady Lake Police Department is a fully accredited professional law enforcement agency. We strive to provide the best possible service to our residents and to those who work, travel and visit here. The Lady Lake Police Department received initial accreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation in October 2016, and obtained reaccreditation in October 2019 and December 2022. This accreditation process is ongoing and is pivotal in keeping with the best practices, updated policies and conformance to changes in law. Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence.
Lady Lake Police Department benefits include:
- Narcotics/Tracking K9 Unit
- Criminal Investigations and Special Enforcement Units
- Road Patrol Division
- 8-year/20-year pension
- $1,500 hiring bonus for certified officers; Out of state officers receive a $5,000 bonus from the state
- Night differential
- Take home car after FTO
- Life/Dental/Medical insurance
- Paid holidays; PTO buyback
- Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Collective Bargaining
About the Town of Lady Lake
Located just an hour from Orlando and Ocala, the Town of Lady Lake is a small town in one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country. With a thriving local economy, A-rated school and top-notch community events, it’s the perfect place to live, work and play. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain a high performing and diverse workforce. Learn more at http://www.ladylake.org.
