Rochester PD Steps Up Recruitment Amid Downturn of Applicants

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester Police Department is attempting to get out in front of a potential increase of open officer positions. 

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Police Departments across Minnesota are experiencing officer shortages. Last Summer the City of Goodhue’s Police Department was disbanded after the department’s chiefs and other sworn officers resigned at the time over pay and the inability of the department to add new officers. 

The Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office has since assumed policing duties within the community.  At the time there were at least 200 open law enforcement jobs in the state. 

The Minneapolis Police Department last year reported a record low number of sworn officers. 

A Rochester Police Spokesperson says the department is anticipating at least 12 officer openings this year due to upcoming retirements. Rochester's police department, like other departments across the country, has seen a drop-off in individuals applying to be sworn police officers. 

Last year 54 people applied to become a Rochester Police Officer. That’s down from 96 applicants reported in 2018, the police department says.

The Rochester Police Department is authorized to have a strength of 150 sworn officers and currently employs 144 officers.

In an effort to fill the open and soon-to-be open posts, the Rochester Police Department has released a recruitment video that features testimonials from officers and touts the department’s culture, training programs and facilities offered to sworn officers. 

In a statement Police Chief Jim Franklin says, “The recruitment video captures some of what makes our city and the Rochester Police Department so special. It highlights how we take care of our officers so they can provide exceptional public services to our community. We hope that people share the video and help us recruit officers to our team.” 

You can watch the recruitment video below or view it on Youtube by clicking here.

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