More than 10,000 police officers in Costa Rica are about to get a raise.
Officers in 32 of the lowest paying positions will receive an additional ¢8,000 ($15) per month, according to Public Security Ministry spokesman Jesús Ureña.
“Rather than calculating the raise with a percentage, we gave a ¢8,000 monthly raise across the board,” he said.
For example, the country’s 48 policemen who work on horseback will earn ¢163,150 ($316) per month, up from ¢155,150 ($300), while 410 police sergeants will earn ¢166,050 ($321) per month, up from ¢158,050 ($306). These raises will go into effect Aug. 16.
Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal said the pay increases were made financially possible by scaling back in other areas.
The ministry’s long-term goal is for these officers to earn a minimum of ¢241,000 ($463) monthly by next year, when the Public Security Ministry’s budget will increase 17%, also allowing for 700 new officers to be hired, the statement said.
