Police departments across Northeastern Pennsylvania are experiencing a severe decline in interest in entering the profession.
Police departments across Northeastern Pennsylvania are struggling to recruit and retain officers in a crisis that is impacting local communities in the Commonwealth.
Departments are advertising their openings, offering a competitive starting salary, and paying for expensive training. They are still struggling with hiring officers as fewer and fewer choose to enter the profession.
Larger, wealthier areas are continuing to lure officers with higher pay and better benefits.
With the situation only becoming more dire, Kingston Township recently created a committee to address challenges in recruitment and retention.
Municipality of Kingston police chief Rich Kotchik reflected on the application process he underwent in 1998. He applied for one of three positions, and there were around 100 applicants.
“We are barely getting anyone to apply anymore. The last couple tests we gave we had like two, three people apply. But we aren’t the only ones. The desire to be a police officer, it seems like you’re not seeing what you used to see. It’s a combination of everything. The scrutiny is one. And there’s high stress, 100%. The ‘defund the police’ movement, all that stuff played a role,” Kotchik said in a recent interview.
Kingston has a base salary of up to $79,340. It has waived its normal job application fee and is advertising that tasteful beards and tattoos are now welcome on the job. In terms of retainment of officers, many are opting for lateral transfers to receive better pay and benefits.
Three Kingston officers recently applied to be considered for Wilkes-Barre City’s new lateral transfer list. The city has a better pay structure, benefits, and a more desirable retirement package.
Wilkes-Barre City officials created the list as an emergency measure because the department lost 12 officers and has retirements pending.
Wilkes-Barre police chief Joe Coffay said, “We used to get 200-300 people take our test. Last time, 37 people took our test. After they physical agility portion and background, it went down to 10. Out of those 10, we were able to hire three.”
Departments are also offering paid training. Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, and Scranton pay for an officer’s Act 120 training, which usually takes between six and seven months to complete and costs about $10,000 in tuition, fees, and equipment.
The municipalities require a commitment from the officer receiving the paid training. In Scranton, officers who leave within one year of service must pay back 100% of the training cost. Those who leave within two years owe 75% and those who leave within three years must repay 50%.
Kingston Twp. police chief Martin Maransky said about 50 people applied for one job opening 30 years ago when he tried to enter the force.
“The current Kingston Township police officers are dedicated, career professionals. But to maintain that level of professionalism far into the future, we need to attract young individuals with the same long-term commitment. I’m concerned, the township manager and board of supervisors is concerned, and we’re trying to find solutions,” Maransky said.
