The City-Parish Council has approved an introductory ordinance to raise starting pay for Lafayette Police officers. Under the plan, many recruits would be paid roughly 300 to 400-dollars more than they would make under current policy. Police Chief Jim Craft says the increase would boost the department's starting pay to third or fourth in the state. City-Parish President Joey Durel says the move is to help shore up personnel in a department that's suffering from a shortage in that area. The issue is slated for a final vote on March 19th.