Saline Police Department To Sponsor "Recruits" Through Police Academy, Hoping to Attract Loyal Young Officers

Facing depleted ranks and an aging force, and a challenging labor market, the Saline Police Department has a new tool at its disposal to help attract new, young officers.

Last week, Saline City Council approved a new "Police Recruit" position within the department.

The position will pay the recruit $12-15/hour to work in the department while completing the police academy at Washtenaw Community College. The Saline Police Department will pay for the 16-week academy, books and uniform, which come at the cost of about $5,600. 

When they graduate from the academy, they'll become sworn members of the police force.

"I feel this will be a part of our operations moving. It is a great way to have mutual loyalty," Police Chief Jerrod Hart said.

If a recruit wants the deal, they have to stay for 48 months. If they leave before then, they have to pay back some of the funds.

Traditionally, the Saline Police Department has required prospective candidates to be licensed through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards or successfully complete the basic MCOLES-approved police academy before beginning employment. Hart said while it's beneficial to the City to have trained officers, the requirement also hinders the city from attracting the best police officer candidates based on their economic status. Individuals just finishing college coursework don't always immediately have the funds to pay for the academy.

Hart recommended this recruit program to council with a candidate in mind - a recent Western Michigan University graduate who earned a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice.

"He simply needs to attend the academy," Hart said. 

The academy begins July 20.

Hart has also had discussions with a reserve officer who is interested in coming back to the police department after experiencing operations as a cadet in a larger department. He hopes to put him through the academy in January of 2021.

The creation of the position required working with the police officer's union. Hart originally proposed paying the recruit minimum wage for the 16-week police academy. At the city council meeting last week, Councillor Christen Mitchell recommended raising that to $15 and hour. Council agreed on a range of $12-15 based on qualifications.

There are currently two vacancies in the police department, so the department has money in the budget to pay tuition.

"I really believe this is an approach we should support and approve. It provides incentives to people who may not have the resources to go the academy," Marl said. "It can help us attract and retain a diverse workforce."

The city needs to compete with other agencies for officers and this can help. Marl said the city's pay scale is competitive with other agencies, but the city, unlike some agencies, is not in a position to offer a pension."

Councillor Jack Ceo, who spent a long career in law enforcement, said he was glad to see this program come to fruition.

"Since I was in the police department, we've been whittling away at the benefits officers receive here in Saline. Allegiance is a two-way street," Ceo said.

Hart agreed.

"My taught me that if you take care of your job, your job will take care of you. I feel like that's been lost a bit over the years," Hart said. "It's a great way to get career police officers in here."

Hart said he'd like to see a blend of new officers and officers on their second career.

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