Posted on 09/24/21
| News Source: WBAL
The head of the Baltimore County Police Union says the county is down officers with no sign of beefing up the force.
The county is down 14% according to the Fraternal Order of Police president David Rose, especially with an anti-police sentiment in many areas.
“A lot of people are finding the job not attractive," Rose said.
He said many officers are leaving to go to nearby jurisdictions for better pay and higher signing bonuses.
Police Chief Melissa Hyatt said they are now offering "A $10,000 hiring incentive for new police officers and for lateral police officers."
Rose said that officers are also leaving over working conditions, such as a lack of a dedicated training facility. He said with being down so many officers, officers are simply overworked.
“Our police cadets, coming here as a police cadet, your salary is less than what it is starting at a Royal Farms store," Rose said. "A Royal Farms store, you can make $15 an hour. A police cadet here doesn’t make that.”