Former Police Chief Bobby Dodd was called as a witness on Monday by attorneys for 28 city police officers suing over pay issues.
He initially was a defendant in the lawsuit filed by attorneys Stevie Phillips and Janie Parks Varnell.
Soon after he became chief in June of 2010, he said he began working on a new pay plan that would reward sergeants, lieutenants and captains. He said some sergeants were making $30,000 and others $60,000. "It was all over the place."
He said there had been focus on improving the pay of rookie officers, but the compensation for administrators "had not been addressed for years or decades."
"If your middle managers are not happy, you're in trouble," he said.
The former chief, who said he had known attorney Varnell since she was a child since she is the daughter of former Chief Steve Parks, said he started out getting $13,900 as a patrol officer. He said, "So it's been a problem for a long time."
Former Chief Dodd said a plan was worked out that "banded" different ranks so there was not so much disparity. He said sergeants would get at least $50,000, lieutenants at least $61,000 and captains at least $68,000.
He said the mayor's office, the city finance department and all nine City Council members approved it.
Those filing the suit contend that the pay increases promised in the 2010 pay plan never fully came about.
On cross-examination by assistant city attorney Phil Noblett, the witness agreed that the city had supplied $3.6 million for police pay increases in 2010 and the next few years.