Seventeen recruits were graduated from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Academy on Wednesday, September 14.
Sam Dotson, the police chief, spoke of his pride in the new recruits and his delight that they have chosen careers in law enforcement, but also expressed concerns that the department is not attracting and retaining officers.
During every two-week pay period, it loses between two and three officers, and the dwindling numbers place extra strain on the department. At the moment, there are 120 vacancies in the department, and Dotson would like to hire another 160 officers.
In order for officers to remain with the department, Dotson believes it would help to offer more competitive salaries. He says the officers are leaving to work in the private sector, at better-paying jobs. He notes that the department has to compete with companies like Monsanto and Anheuser Busch.
Dotson estimated it would cost approximately $9m to hire and train the 160 new officers, but he believes it is a necessary expense in order to improve public safety. Dotson asked the community to support the department as its officers undertake difficult and sometimes dangerous work, and encouraged people to apply to the force in the near future.
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