Dover adds another incentive to attract new police officers
DOVER – The city is adding incentives for new police hires as finding cops becomes increasingly difficult.
City Council Monday approved a police recruit sponsorship program that would cover training expenses for new hires, up to $15,000 per recruit. In return, the officer would have to work for Dover for a minimum of two years.
Gunnoe says this is the latest in a series of moves designed to make the Dover Police Department a more attractive place to work. Dover this year has already given its officers $2 an hour raises up to $33.24, loosened age requirements, and softened its stance on facial hair and tattoos.
Still, two openings remain on the force that Dover has been trying to fill for months. In addition, Gunnoe says about 25 percent of police department employees are at or near retirement age.
Safety Director Bob Everett called the lack of recruits an “unfortunate” national trend. Gunnoe says other departments offer these types of incentives, and Dover needs to keep pace.