If you’ve traveled through Downtown Buffalo recently the signs are hard to miss. The Rochester Police Department is aggressively recruiting the Queen City.
“We really looked at Buffalo as a market that we could make an impact,” says Rochester Police Department Sergeant Justin Collins. “Now more than ever policing is very competitive.”
Sergeant Collins joined Rochester Police Officer Michelle Calderon in talking to 7 News about the recruiting efforts in Buffalo. The RPD is using everything from digital billboards to social media to reach as many people as possible.
“We’ve only had a three-week window here to recruit,” said Officer Calderon. “This Friday is our deadline. We’ve been working really hard,”
The Rochester Police Department traditionally carries more than 700 officers but is currently looking to fill more than 90 open positions.
“You are seeing it across the country, law enforcement has taken a hit. There are always going to be folks that don’t belong in the industry, but that goes for every profession.”