Law Enforcement “Get Creative” To Quell Officer Shortages

Source: PHOTO: WISH-TV

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Many police departments throughout the state have seen declines and difficulties in getting more people to consider a career in law enforcement.

In Indianapolis, for example, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department had roughly 1,400 officers on their payroll. However, the department is budgeted to have more than 1,700 officers. Counties that surround Indianapolis, such as Hamilton County, are having similar struggles.

“I think it has to do with the social and political climate that hit us in 2019 and 2020,” said Bryan Melton, the public infomation officer with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. “(Law enforcement) became an unpopular gig based on social media and influence.”

Melton told WIBC’s Hammer and Nigel that they have had to get creative to convince people that how police officers are portrayed by social media is not always factual.

“People who are not within the agency, they just see what’s in the media, the negativity,” said John Lowes, who is the chief deputy in Hamilton County. “We have to do a better job of getting that positivity out there to try and bring them in.”

Lowes said that money and support would certainly help with recruitment.

Lowes said in Hamilton County they are able to offer competitive salaries to first time law enforcement officers, whether it be the sheriff’s department for police departments in city within the county.

But, he added that money will only take them so far. He said trust between police officers and elected leaders is also a key factor in recruitment.