The Fort Dodge City Council on Monday approved some new pay incentives for officers working in the chronically understaffed Police Department.

At full strength, the department is to have 40 officers. But in the last few years, it has rarely had that many.

To boost the morale of the officers now on the force, the council authorized some additional pay.

Officers working during times of critically short staffing will be eligible for a premium between $500 and $1,000.

Officers who live in the city limits will be eligible for up to $2,000 in additional pay every year.

All officers will have the opportunity to get paid for up to four unused floating holidays.

The experienced officers who accompany new officers to help them learn the job are called field training officers. They will now get an additional $1 per hour when working in that role.

Officers who are bilingual will get an extra $100 a month.

The council approved these pay incentives unanimously without discussion.