Milwaukee mayor highlights initiative to boost MPD recruiting numbers
MILWAUKEE - Mayor Cavalier Johnson on Monday, Nov. 25 highlighted a new Fire and Police Commission initiative that will boost the recruiting numbers for the Milwaukee Police Department.
According to a press release, the city is inviting current police officers from other jurisdictions with at least one year of experience to sign up to serve Milwaukee. Those who enroll to be police officers in the next few weeks could be eligible for a $10,000 bonus.
"We need more police officers in Milwaukee and I want for there to be more police officers in Milwaukee. However, at the same time, there are fewer women and fewer men who are choosing police work as a career and so that makes it more difficult for us as we seek to fill our recruit classes," said Mayor Johnson. "Our plan is a $10,000 incentive, offered to those police officers to join us in Milwaukee, to join the Milwaukee Police Department."
The bonus arrangement will be before the Common Council.
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Pressure mounts to recruit new hires for both police and fire departments due to a bipartisan law called Act 12.
According to Act 12, if the Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee Fire Department do not maintain staffing levels year-over-year, they could lose 15 percent of their shared revenue funding from the state.
"I'm grateful for the city's support of our efforts to increase the number of Milwaukee Police Department officers -- who are able to serve and keep our community safe. Lateral and regular recruitment are not just a priority to fulfill the requirements of Act 12, but a priority to best serve those who live, work, and enjoy the city," said Milwaukee police chief Jeffrey Norman.
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