Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced to a Houston Police Department cadet class they will receive a $10,000 raise and other incentives amidst a staffing shortage.
Whitmire and HPD’s Chief of Police, J. Noe Diaz were visiting the 46 members of the class – all of who willgraduate in March 2026 – when he made the surprise announcement.
Whitmire said HPD will negotiate a new contract next year and that he will “be the same mayor at the negotiating table looking out” for them.
The raise brings the cadets’ salary to $52,000 from $42,000. The cadets will also receive a $5,000 one-time incentive for completing the academy and Texas Commission on Law Enforcement certification.
This would bring their compensation to $57,000 in the first year, and after the completion of the probationary period, it would go up to $62,574. The fiscal year 2025 budget accommodates funding for six police cadet classes.
“Forty-two thousand is not much to ask someone to spend as much time away from their families,” he told the class
“You’re getting a $10,000 raise while you’re in the academy, you’ll get that $10,000 raise immediately. That is still not appropriate for your commitment to public service, to put your life on the line, but it is a start in the right direction to let men and women across the state, this nation, and this great city, know we want you to become a Houston police officer.”
While it is common for the mayor to attend police cadet graduations, this was the first time Whitmire addressed cadets during their training.
He requested they help HPD recruit new officers. “I hope you recommend somebody else join this fine organization because the better days are in front of us, and someday, I hope one of you will aspire to be a commander or a chief,” said Whitmire.
He acknowledged the diversity in the classroom and said the department has undergone a transition that represents the diversity in the city. Whitmore said law enforcement across the country today are “afraid to do their job,” using the example of the Austin police department, which is understaffed and under-resourced with a “very aggressive DA.”
Whitmire said the “chatter” in Austin PD is that officers are held accountable despite doing their jobs and following the law and training and are encouraged not to get involved.
“That model doesn’t work, folks. The model we want in Houston is law enforcement, protect the public, protect yourself, your family, and I’ll even go a step further. I’ve been wanting to say this to a group of officers and certainly cadets,” Whitmire continued. “It’s appropriate when you pull somebody over. I believe it’s your duty to treat that person like a family member.”
He reiterated that because of the presence of several types of people — those who are violent, have mental health issues, and own drugs and that police officers have the right to use force. However, they must perceive the person as one of their own and make sure they get home safely. “You pull somebody over for a DUI (Driving under the influence), that’s your drunk brother.”
Diaz, who began serving in this role in August this year and pledged to recruit people to join the department and use more technology-based solutions, also echoed Whitmire’s emphasis on finding more applicants.
“Going home tonight, call your brothers, call your cousins, your family, your neighbors,” Diaz said. “This is an outstanding organization, and even if they want to be firefighters, we’re public safety, we’re still brothers. Know that this business is about people, and it’s always going to be people.”
