'It feels like we are sinking': Local leaders share concerns about MPD recruitment

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Things got heated at a meeting in Milwaukee as local leaders shared their concerns about recruitment within the Milwaukee Police Department on Thursday, Nov. 14. 

"I'm going to be transparent, it feels like we are sinking," said Alderwoman Milele Coggs on the Milwaukee Common Council. "I don’t feel like we are getting closer to our goal, it feels like we are getting further and further from it."

Alderwoman Coggs stressed a 37-million-dollar budget cut is on the line if MPD doesn't reach their recruitment goals.

So far this year, MPD had around 67 graduates total, with an additional class coming in December.

The goal for next year is to fill three police classes with 65 recruits each, aiming for 195 recruits.

"That is certainly something that is going to be a challenge," said Leon Todd, the executive director of the Fire and Police Commission. "We are going to do everything we can to make that happen. There is no guarantee."

Alexander Ayala, the president of the Milwaukee Police Association says right now the department is short by 241 officers.

Ayala says short staffing and non-competitive salaries are causing an increase in resignations on the force.

"Why would an officer want to stay in Milwaukee when they can go to let's say Brookfield, or New Berlin and make more money than us and take about an 8th of the calls we do a year."

City leaders are calling for all measures to be considered to increase recruitment and retain officers.

"There is no one solution to the recruitment challenge," said Todd. "I think as everybody knows it is a difficult, challenging environment nationwide to recruit police officers and I think it is going to require focused attention."

We have reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department to comment on recruitment efforts and the graduation numbers for this year and we will update when we hear back.