The Bakersfield Police Department has been suffering from a high turnover rate in the last five years, possibly due to low pay rates, according to a new report by the Kern County Grand Jury.
The report says employee turnover is around 55% and that the average salary for a Bakersfield Police officer is 30% less than other cities around the state. BPD salaries start around $4900 per month.
The Grand Jury has recommended that the city pursue more methods to retain officers. The City of Bakersfield has 90 days to respond to the Grand Jury's findings.