Philadelphia PD/X
The Philadelphia Police Department is kicking off an effort this week to recruit more officers.
The department said it is currently short more than 800 officers.
"We're looking to get out there, get in the field with officers on foot and bikes," Captain John Walker said. "But, we can't do that if we don't have the people."
"The job just became really unattractive over the last couple of years with the unrest, the riots, things of that nature, defund the police," FOP President Roosevelt Poplar said. "We're trying to change that trend and move back in the right direction."
The city is also waiving a requirement that new officers must live in the city for a year before joining the force to boost dwindling ranks, ABC6 reports.
A new state law permits Philadelphia to use an alternative reading comprehension test upon approval by the Municipal Police Officers' Education (MPO) and Training Commission, and it reduces the minimum physical fitness requirement for police academy recruits.
