INDIANAPOLIS — It’s tough nowadays to recruit new police officers, says Ofc. William Young with Indianapolis Metro Police. That’s why he says the department is getting creative to try and get more officers on the force in order to keep Indy residents safe.
He says a group of officers headed to Decatur, Georgia for a recruiting event this week. Typically, police departments try to stay local in recruiting new officers, but Young says fewer and fewer are showing interest. There are many reasons why that is, he says.
“Unfortunately we did lose an officer, a female officer (last year), and that took a heavy toll on our agency,” Young told WISH-TV. “Things that happened during the George Floyd protests, that certainly was an issue.”
He said it’s a problem that many police departments all over the country are facing. In order to attract more potential officers, IMPD is sweetening its offer for first-year officers.
The department is presenting a package to potential new hires with first-year officer salaries at $53,000. By year two, the new hire will make roughly $62,000 and will jump to $75,000 by their third year. They are also offering a $5,000 bonus for officers willing to make a lateral transfer from another department.
“What we want to do is take our time and make sure we are hiring the best folks that will represent our community, enforce laws, and do the things we need them to do,” said Young. “If you feel like it needs to be better we want you to join and help make it better.”
Young said they hope to have upwards of 1,800 officers on Indy streets by the end of their hiring push.
