Recruiting and retaining city police officers has been an ongoing challenge for the Springfield Police Department. The department is 35 officers of its authorized strength because of budget shortfall, training time and injuries.But there's also another factor making the search for good officers difficult. It's not only big cities with bigger salaries that lure officers away. It's also the explosion of new Homeland Security jobs since 9/11 and the ongoing war in Iraq.
Watch my KY3 News @ 10 story on the topic HERE.
Rep. Roy Blunt says he will look into seeking federal grants for overtime pay of existing officers to help alleviate the problem. Chief Lynn Rowe says he's not optimistic about getting more help from the city budget.
After the story aired, a viewer wrote:
"If you happen to do a follow up you might ask why they are not hiring back police that have left on good terms that already have their certifications and have completed the academy."
"They refuse to hire anyone back. And instead hire in new people and put them through the academy.. which I believe is around 75k a person. Paid for by the tax payers."
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