Wisconsin Republicans are introducing a package of bills designed to support police departments struggling to attract recruits.
Police chiefs said at a news conference Tuesday that the number of officer applicants has dwindled over the last decade, and the shortage has become worse over the two years since George Floyd's death.
Republican Representative Pat Snyder says rural areas are hurting the most.
“One of the things that a lot of our constituents are concerned about is their safety,” Snyder says. “When there’s not enough officers to go around, response times and things of that nature go down.”
The proposed bills would offer everything from bonuses for new officers to incentives for officers who relocate to Wisconsin from other states.
“Some people might like a chance into an area that has great culture like this area and be able to continue their career,” Snyder said. “We wanted to add that little incentive to think about relocating.”
The bills would also waive hunting and fishing fees for officers, launch a marketing campaign for recruits, and force schools to teach students to how to respect police.
Snyder says Republicans are hopeful that funding for the bonuses and relocation packages can come out of federal dollars awarded as part of COVID-19 stimulus packages.
It's unclear if the proposal has the support of Democrats.
