GREENSBURG, Ind. (AP) _ A southeastern Indiana mayor is seeking a nearly 11 percent pay hike for his city's police officers in hopes of preventing some of them from being lured away by better-paying jobs.

Greensburg Mayor Gary Herbert says the city's current approach of boosting salaries through longevity pay doesn't help new officers who need “to make a living'' their first year on the force.

Police Chief Brendan Bridges says three of his officers have left for other law enforcement agencies or other occupations primarily because of Greensburg's low police salaries.

The Greensburg Daily News reports (http://bit.ly/1DFBuWy ) Herbert has proposed eliminating two police officer positions, one of which has never been filled, to pay for the raises without causing big spending cuts in the city about 50 miles southeast of Indianapolis.