POLICE DEPARTMENT VACANCIES DROP AS INVESTMENTS INCREASE

(Aug. 4, 2025)

MIDLAND, TEXAS -- The work to increase Midland Police Department staffing levels continues.

MPD has 172 sworn officers and 11 recruits in the police academy. Once those recruits graduate, MPD will have 19 vacancies, a number down from 52 in 2019.

The work taking place to get to 202 (and higher if the need arises) is being helped by starting salaries that increased from $66,201 in 2023 to $79,201 in 2025. That is an increase of 19.6%. The jump is 27.9% going back to 2020.

Other investments include:

• Decreasing the number of years to reach max pay (18 to 10 years),
• An 28.8% increase in Police Department expenses (from $33.113 million in 2020 to $42.845 million in 2024),
• Purchases in FY 2024 and 2025, including more than $6 million in vehicles and nearly $600,000 in soft body armor.

These investments reflect our mission to protect and serve with excellence, and we remain committed to building a stronger, safer Midland.

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MPD officers

Sworn officers: 172

Recruits: 11

Vacancies: 19 (down 52 in 2019)

Note: MPD is authorized to hire above 202 if the need arises

Starting salaries for MPD officers

The starting salaries for MPD officers have increased by 19.6% since 2023 and by 27.9% since 2020

2025: $79,201

2024: $77,270

2023: $66,201

2022: $65,043

2021: $63,767

2020: $61,910

Cost of living adjustments for MPD

2023:  3%

2024:  5% 

2025:  2.5% 

This is in addition to the PD table adjustment in 2024, as well as any step increases the employees may have achieved.

Increased Pay

2023 to 2024

• 5% increase across the board to base pay (cost $1.1 million)
• Pay steps decreased from 9 to 7 (cost: $1.4 million
• The years to reach max pay decreased from 18 to 10 years.

For 2026:

The cost of 2% Police COLA is $368,661 (just on base pay)

PD expenses 2020-2024

2024: $42.845 million

2023: $38.428 million 

2022: $36.441 million

2021: $35.650 million

2020: $33.113 million

Note: Field operations increased from $16.970 million in 2020 to $21.871 million in 2024 (28.8% increase) … Investigative Services increased from $5.935 million to $8.159 million (37.4% increase)

Purchases in fiscal years 2024 and 2025

Soft body armor $597,903

Seven radar trailers $80,067

30 PD vehicles and 2 Pickups $2.641 million

1 bomb truck $88,981

30 PD vehicles, 1 K9 Unit $2.628 million

2 CSO pickups $148,320

12 pickups, 2 Tahoes $979,721