The phrase, however, still remains a bit of a mystery to some members.

The 14-step-plan is a consolidated pay plan that was passed by the Selma City Council in 1998, giving Selma Police Department personnel a raise in salary.

The plan, however, was never fully implemented for all personnel at the department. Some department members still continue to remain on what is known as the five-step-plan, where maximum salaries department personnel can receive are lower than that on the 14-step-plan.

The Selma Fraternal Order of Police recently asked that &uot;at the very least,&uot; all department personnel be moved to the 14-step-plan, something which council members seemed to favor at the work session.

Even with the 14-step-plan in place, salaries would still be below the state average for salaries received by police personnel.

Council President George Evans said that with the high amount of crime being reported in Selma, adopting the 14-step-plan could be a move in the right direction.

Evans said that he also hoped to see salaries increased for those in the lower ranks of the department.

Councilwoman Jean Martin also said that from what she knew of the 14-step-plan, she would be in favor of it.

Regardless of the council’s vote on the plan, Martin said funding for the police department was a top priority on her agenda.

Councilman James Durry said even though he might be in the favor of the plan, he needed to study it more closely.

Councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw said that she supported the full implementation of the 14-step-plan.

Crenshaw, praising Selma’s department heads, added that she hoped to see revenue increase to help fund all departments.