Gov. Josh Stein on Thursday visited with the Raleigh Police Department to promote the law enforcement pay increases and bonuses built into the new state budget. 

“This is a big step,” Stein said. “But it’s not the final step.”

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State law enforcement agencies will see some of the most dramatic salary increases of all state employees, including:

  • 16.2 percent increase for State Bureau of Investigations & Alcohol Law Enforcement
    • 15 percent increase for State Highway Patrol officers
      • 13 percent increase for correctional officers
        • 6.5 percent raise for probation and parole officers
          • $40 million to provide one-time $1,750 bonuses for local law enforcement officers

            “I was proud to sign into law a budget that makes historic investments in public safety,” Stein said.

            “We want to signal to the officers who are in this facility, (and) to officers in local law enforcement agencies, police departments, sheriff’s offices across the state is that we value you. We appreciate you. We are grateful for what you do to keep us safe.”

            The boosts come as police departments across the state struggle to fill vacancies. As of July, the Raleigh Police Department has 93 open positions, 11.4 percent of the total budgeted force.

            Of the 725 sworn officers on staff right now, the number able to be on the street is much lower than that. Between cadets in training, and others on sick leave, on vacation and approaching retirement, the total number could be lower by dozens.

            Business owner calls for more patrols in Raleigh's busiest districts

            The staff shortage comes at a time when the need for increased patrols is on the rise. Over the 4th of July weekend, swarms of people descended on on Glenwood South and Brier Creek, resulting in shootings and fights that have caused numerous injuries. One business owner on Glenwood South says that corridor is not currently set up to handle these massive crowds from a police perspective.

            “From my understanding, there are around 20 paid officers on Glenwood South,” Dan Lovenheim said. “We have over 10,000 people in the Glenwood South District in those six blocks many times on Friday or Saturday night. We feel the police force really needs to double on Friday and Saturday nights to make sure that the enforcement is overseen correctly.”

            Safety isn’t just a talking point for Lovenheim, but a line item in his budget. He tells WRAL, he spends about a quarter million dollars a year providing security at his bars every year. Those positions are largely held by off-duty Raleigh Police officers. He can assure guests are safe when they walk through his doors, but when they walk out, like many did on the 4th of July, there’s nothing he can do.

            “I’ve been in this industry for over 30 years,” Lovenheim said. “I have rarely, if ever, seen a night like July 4th. That was the 1,000-year flood. It showed all of us that we need to increase the enforcement on Glenwood South moving forward to keep everyone safe.”

            Raleigh Police will not disclose how many officers they assign to Glenwood South, saying it could compromise safety and operations.

            Raleigh Chief of Police Rico Boyce says the one-time bonuses in the new state budget will pay off in the long run to help keep the community safer from these types of takeovers.

            “We can go out and we can hire and keep bringing people here to the City of Raleigh,” Boyce said. “It’s going to increase the amount of officers we have which will then increase our presence throughout our community, which then will help continue to keep Raleigh a safe city.”

            Since 2024, Raleigh police officers’ starting salary has increased 22 percent, from $50,301 to $61,417. RPD also adding a lateral training program in December, which can bring in already sworn officers from other local jurisdictions or other states, and get them through the program and on the streets faster. Out-of-state officers specifically will be eligible for a $5,000 hiring bonus.

            “The community will see that presence,” Boyce said. “That’s going to continue to keep our city safe.”

            “It’s innovative and it’s creative,” Stein said. “Identifying a problem and coming up with a solution.”