MILWAUKEE - Mayor Johnson signed a resolution on Friday, Feb. 28 amending the City of Milwaukee’s state legislative package relating to the creation and funding of a State of Wisconsin statewide police recruitment bonus incentive program.
Milwaukee and municipalities across Wisconsin face challenges in recruiting new police officers.
This browser does not support the Video element.
MKE police recruitment bonus, ceremonial signing
Mayor Cavalier Johnson ceremonially signs a resolution amending the City of Milwaukee’s state legislative package relating to the creation and funding of a State of Wisconsin statewide police recruitment bonus incentive program.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
This effort, modeled on a program in Florida, proposes a statewide bonus to attract police to departments here, according to a news release from the Office of Mayor Johnson.
Mayor Johnson's statement
What they're saying:
"Today I formally endorsed an addition to the City of Milwaukee’s Wisconsin legislative requests which calls for a statewide incentive to attract new police officer recruits.
"My city, like many municipalities, faces a situation in which fewer people are applying to become Milwaukee Police officers. It is a challenge seen across Wisconsin and around the country. This year, Milwaukee budgeted to hire and train three recruit classes with 65 positions each. We are not receiving sufficient numbers of applicants to meet that goal.
"Florida has seen success with a recruitment incentive of $5,000 that has drawn thousands of officers to police departments in that state. I am hopeful we can replicate that success here.
"Crime is down in Milwaukee with our framework of both accountability and prevention, Milwaukee is reducing the number of serious crimes and reducing the number of victims. Our officers do a good job, and I want to support that work. I’ve been clear since I was elected, I want to add to the numbers of Milwaukee police officers.
"I am hopeful the state will join our recruiting work so that our crime reduction efforts are kept on track."
The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Office of Mayor Cavalier Johnson.