HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - Police officers and firefighters in Hattiesburg are getting a pay raise.

Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker announced a $5,000 salary boost across both departments for current employees and new hires.

Hattiesburg Police Department also announced it was accepting applications for its next academy class, with a pay boost designed to attract and keep officers.

“We appreciate the city council unanimously voting to raise salaries across the board for the Hattiesburg Police Department and the Hattiesburg Fire Department by $5,000,” Barker said. ”This also takes our starting salary for our police officers up to $55,000 per year."

The city said new recruits can earn up to $60,000 based on experience, education and/or skill sets.

“Officers, if they have the desire to ser

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