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