— City cops who recruit officers from other police departments could soon be getting a bigger bonus. McCoy said the referral bonuses target already licensed officers, who can be on the job within weeks rather than months for academy recruits. And the board hopes the larger bonuses will encourage more officers to participate. Between 2023 and 2025, the department paid just 29 referral bonuses. Officers can receive up to $10,500 a year in recruitment bonuses.