Katie Hobbs says DPS troopers, who seized 2,647 pounds of fentanyl pills last year, deserve 5% raise

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs reiterated her desire for a 5% pay raise for troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Tuesday morning.

The extra cash is well-deserved because of the massive amount of drugs DPS took off Arizona streets last year, she said during a press conference.

“This isn’t just the right thing to do so that these men and women can support their families,” Hobbs said. “It’s the right thing to do for the state.”

However, the pay raise in her proposed budget would have to be approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Why Katie Hobbs wants raises for Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers

Hobbs said the 5% pay raise for troopers could help prevent law enforcement shortages.

“It will help ensure that we are able to attract and retain the highest quality personnel,” Hobbs said.

Additionally, Hobbs said the raises could help DPS stay competitive with other agencies.

“As a social worker, I have seen drugs upend people’s lives, upend communities. We’ve all seen the devastating effects,” Hobbs said. “Increase in fentanyl has wrecked havoc in our state and across the county. Countless communities have been ripped apart because of this epidemic.”

HAPPENING NOW: Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs is at DPS headquarters to make a drug seizure announcement. Yes, that’s fentanyl and crystal meth. @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/l93auAo7Gj

— Heidi Hommel (@heidi_hommel) February 11, 2025

To illustrate the hard work DPS does, Hobbs invited reporters to see illegal drugs troopers have seized from Arizona streets.

Heavy bags swelling with fentanyl pills and crystal meth sat on a table feet away from attendees.

What’s standing in the way of a potential pay raise for troopers?

“The brave men and women of the Department of Public Safety who stand here today play a major role in keeping our state safe,” Hobbs said. “That is exactly what they have done here.”

The numbers prove it, she added.

“The amount of fentanyl pills seized by DPS has increased exponentially, from 89 pounds in 2018 to 2,647 pounds in 2024,” Hobbs said.

Furthermore, in a three-month period last year, DPS helped seize 6,500 pounds of illicit drugs, she said.

“Whether it’s traffic stops or drug busts, DPS has been laser focused on getting these drugs out of our communities, ” Hobbs said. “There really is no way to quantify the lives that have been saved by these efforts.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Heidi Hommel contributed to this report.

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