West Cleveland News

Westlake City Council will consider increasing the salary range for a digital forensics examiner working with the Westlake Police Department. Currently, the salary starts at $50,000 annually, with the top range reaching $74,800. The council will discuss modifying the salary range at its meeting on Oct. 5.

The proposal to modify the salary range was described as "modifying its salary range for a digital forensic examiner." If passed, the salary range for a digital forensics examiner would increase by $2,200, bringing the top range to $72,600 per year.

The ordinance that would adjust the salary range also includes compensation for other city department employees. It fixes the compensation of hourly rate and salaried employees in Westlake city departments, with the latest salary ranges set to be applied starting on Jan. 1, 2022. The ordinance also includes annual increases in 2023 and 2024 for most positions.

The addition of the digital forensics examiner position to the ordinance came on July 6. The legislation states that the salary for this position is comparable to the rate paid to a property and evidence specialist in the police department.

The salary modification for the digital forensics examiner position is the only change proposed in the ordinance. The legislation added to the Oct. 5 agenda states that this is the only position that has been redlined for a change.

The Westlake City Council's consideration of increasing the salary range for a digital forensics examiner reflects the importance of this role in the Westlake Police Department. If approved, the salary modification would provide a competitive salary range for individuals in this field and potentially attract more qualified candidates to join the department. The decision will be made at the council's meeting on Oct. 5.