The Franklin Police Chief came before the Town Council on July 5 to ask that the town consider a more aggressive recruiting program for new officers.
The Franklin Police Department is authorized for 17 sworn positions and currently has six vacancies. In recent months, there have been four retirements, which opens opportunity for promotions within the department but still leaves positions open.
Franklin is not alone in having a difficult time filling open positions. Police and sheriff’s departments nationwide are seeing a decline in the number of people interested in working in law enforcement.
“Law enforcement is embroiled in probably the most difficult time in American history,” Chief Bill Harrell wrote in a memo to the council. “Approximately two plus years of societal and media vilification for a very small number of horrific, gross and unacceptable incidents has left an incredible mark on our reputation. We no longer enjoy the same quality reputation we once did, and all of law enforcement and the communities we serve are paying an irrefutable price for a few.”
According to numbers Harrell obtained from the NCT&S database, 520 people graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) in 2021. However, there were 1,186 retirements or resignations, a difference of 666 people. There was a deficit in 2020 as well with 1,786 graduating from BLET with 2,139 retirements or resignations, a difference of 353.
Harrell said there have been some interested applicants, but when they see what Franklin pays compared to other departments they look elsewhere.
Franklin Police Department’s minimum starting salary for a police officer is $34,192. That is the lowest in the surrounding counties and towns. A starting deputy with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office makes $40,301; Highlands Police Department $37,349; Sylva $39,888; Jackson County $39,508; Andrews $41,495; Waynesville, $40,500; and the North Carolina Highway Patrol offers starting pay at $44,500. Andrews offers a sign-on bonus up to $2,500.
A master police officer has a starting salery of $35,900 with FPD, $39,642 with Highlands Police Department and $42,525 with the Waynesville Police Department.
Regionally, there has been a problem in getting enough applicants to complete the Basic Law Enforcement Training offered by Southwestern Community College. Ten students are needed to offer the class, and the last session had to be cancelled because there weren’t enough students enrolled. Harrell said the training will be offered again in September, but if there are not enough students it will be 2023 before it is offered again.
In February, the town approved a new recruitment program that will pay tuition for applicants who need to complete BLET, if the person commits to working for the Franklin Police Department after completing training.
Harrell said because of the rigorous screenings that officer candidates must complete before being hired, it can be months before they get someone on board. One new officer that is scheduled to start working soon, began the application/screening process in February.
The chief and council members expressed concern about the extra hours the remaining officers are working due to the number of vacancies in the department and how that could impact performance on the job. “We don’t have the kind of job where you can afford to lose quality,” Harrell said.
The chief asked that the department be allowed “to implement an aggressive recruitment mission” that would include an incentive bonus program or signing bonus for new applicants who complete a nine-month probationary period. Harrell also asked that the town conduct a pay study with a comparison of salaries of agencies in surrounding areas.
“We are in desperate need of experienced police officers and officers in training to help shoulder the weight being carried by our remaining sworn staff who should be recognized and applauded, especially under such unprecedented times.”