Atlanta mayor signals she will back police bonuses

ATLANTA - Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says she will get behind an effort to provide a one-time bonus for police officers.

The amount being discussed is $2,500.

Beyond the extra cash, the bonus is aimed at repairing a frosty relationship between rank and file officers and city hall, according to councilman Michael Bond.

"The bonus is good," said Bond, "but there needs to be a broader conversation to show the administration backs the police officers."

MORE: Union: Atlanta police officers frustrated by low manpower problem

In 2020, scores of officers left Atlanta to go work elsewhere. Pay was not the primary reason. Instead, officers have been unhappy with what they believe is a lack of support for the men and women in blue amid a summer of protests and civil unrest.

SEE MORE: Officers leaving Atlanta Police Department at alarming rate

At the same time that Atlanta was reopening from the pandemic crisis, crime surged with unhappy cops staging temporary sickouts.

The bonus idea was started by councilman Howard Shook. Bond says the entire council should move quickly to pass the measure and put it on the mayor’s desk.

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