Law enforcement leaders lay out challenges, discuss solutions - WDIO
On Wednesday, leaders from police departments and the Carlton County Sheriff's office sat down with Congressman Pete Stauber to address these issues, and talk about solutions.
Sheriff Kelly Lake said that she feels the morale has gotten better lately. "I think we are starting to see people realize the value and importance of having good law enforcement, and standing behind that."
But the calls for de-funding the police have cut to the core. "I have dispatchers and corrections officers, they are critically important too, and they are hearing that message too. So fewer people are applying for those jobs too," Lake said.
Even as they are asked to do more. Deputy Chief MIke Ceynowa with the Duluth Police shared that everyone on the department does patrols, even command staff. And he did some recently.
"It's far and beyond what they were seeing a year or even two years ago when it comes to mental health issues, substance abuse disorders, and homelessness. It's taxing on them, but they still have a passion to do this job," he told us.
Some are facing a reluctance to do more pro-active policing, which is key to keeping crime down.
All of this, as their ranks are slim. People are retiring, going on leave for PTSD or disability, or getting recruited to work for bigger departments for more money.
"We talk about recruiting being in crisis, and we truly don't have enough candidates coming in to fill vacancies in thsi state. I have a budget for 158 sworn officers. On the ground today, we're at 132," explained Chief Mike Tusken, from Duluth.
His colleague, Chief Jim Crace of Hermantown, joked about being in competition for the same candidates. "As I gave the final offer, to one of the applicants, Mike's calling on the phone to try and get them to reconsider Duluth."
Joking aside, they know it's a real problem.
Some solutions spoken about include changing the narrative about policing. "The message has to be, this is a great career, and a great profession, if you want to help people," said Commander Jon Esterbooks, from Hermantown's department.
Tusken suggested a federal campaign aimed at recruiting police. And scholarships for those who want to go into criminal justice.
Stauber said he has authored legislation for scholarships for law enforcement programs. "We can do better. And my task is to make sure law enforcement is looked at as an honorable and noble profession."
source: https://www.wdio.com/news/law-enforcement-challenges-recruitment-officers-deputies-support/6445150/
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