When new Benton Township Police Chief Greg Abrams and Deputy Chief Blake McKinney took over in January, they inherited a department with just 12 of its 24 budgeted positions filled.
The township had also lost 13 officers over the previous two years, according to Abrams. He said after studying what other police departments in the area did, they discovered Benton Township has lower pay, less incentives and fewer bonuses than other departments.
“This concerned us very deeply,” McKinney said, at Tuesday’s township board meeting. “We had to come up with a solution.”
On Tuesday, Benton Township Trustees helped its new Police Department leadership by approving new hiring and retention bonuses in an effort to adequately staff its force.
“This department is at a shortage of manpower that no other department besides the city of Benton Harbor – that I know of – has had to deal with,” Abrams said. “Our officers are working tirelessly and sacrificing themselves to the point of burnout, which we do not want to have.”
Abrams said Benton Township has the highest volume of police calls in Berrien County, with more than 13,000 in 2022.
“In order for us to be successful, we needed to initiate a bonus structure,” McKinney said. “The board has been very responsive and supportive of this, so we want to thank you. You worked very hard and very diligently on implementing this process.”
Since looking into the bonus program, Abrams said Benton Township has entered into a mutual aid agreement with the Michigan State Police and Berrien County Sherriff’s Department, and will need to be fully staffed to adequately support area citizens.
“We don’t want the community to look at us like we’re unmanned,” Abrams said. “We want to provide the best service possible.”
In order to save the township money, Abrams said McKinney has been to grant writing school, and will assist with applying for grants on new hires and equipment.
