NATCHEZ — Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins came before the Natchez Board of Aldermen Tuesday to ask whether the city would consider hiring experienced police officers at a higher salary.

The starting salary for officers with or without previous experience is currently $24,000, Mullins said during the board’s work session.

Considering Tuesday’s sheriff election and the possible hiring of deputies from the sheriff’s office, Mullins said the city could start deputies who have five years experience in law enforcement on a five-year step pay salary.

“If we can give credit for three years experience, five years experience, 10 years experience, it would get us a qualified, certified person,” Mullins said. “We’re starting officers at an entry-level salary despite years of experience.”

Mullins said if a sheriff’s deputy were to be hired by the Natchez Police Department, he or she would take a $7,000 pay cut. A deputy’s salary is approximately $31,000.

Mullins said hiring experienced officers at a higher salary saves the city from paying for police academy training and a physical examination.

The board said they would consider Mullins’ request, but Aldermen James “Ricky” Gray expressed concern. Gray said Mullins’ request could hurt morale among experienced Natchez police officers.

“If I were a police officer who’s worked for five years, worked my way up and then they bring in somebody else starting off at the same pay as me … I think it’s going to create a problem,” Gray said.

Mullins understood Gray’s concern, but again asked the board to consider his request, citing the need for Natchez to offer competitive police salaries and benefits.

Switching gears, Mullins asked whether the city would contribute money to the Crime Stoppers fund.

According to state law, any county or municipality by ordinance may assess an additional surcharge not to exceed $2 on traffic tickets. Proceeds from the surcharge would be deposited into the Miss-Lou Crime Stoppers fund, Mullins said.

Mullins said the Crime Stoppers fund currently has an $8,000 balance, made possible by community donations. However, donations have slowed to a trickle.

Mullins said the police department currently writes 120-160 tickets a month, and a surcharge would be a welcome boost to the fund.

“It’s hard to get donations, especially now with the way the economy is,” Mullins said. “(The surcharge) doesn’t have to be $2. It could be 50 cents.”

The Crime Stoppers program, established here in 1996, offers anonymity and cash rewards to people who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of criminal offenders. Currently, no public money is involved in the payment of rewards.