Mayor implements urgent reforms to boost police hiring

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed ongoing challenges in the hiring process for the city's police department, highlighting the need for changes to the city charter to facilitate year-round hiring and improve recruitment efforts. The conversation centered around the limitations imposed by the current civil service process, which has hindered the department's ability to attract qualified candidates.

Since Mayor Graham took office, the department has made strides, hiring 22 officers in just five months. However, officials noted that further changes are necessary to enhance recruitment, particularly in competing with other police departments that can offer more attractive hiring conditions. A specific case was mentioned where a retired LAPD detective opted for a position with the Aurora Police Department due to the lengthy hiring process in the city.

To address these issues, officials proposed drafting a paper outlining potential changes to present to the mayor and city council. They emphasized the importance of leveraging benefits and salary packages to attract candidates from states where pay is significantly higher than local rates. The department's recruiter has been actively seeking talent across several states, including Texas and California, to bolster the force.

The discussions underscored the urgency for legislative changes to improve the city's hiring capabilities and ensure that the police department can effectively compete for talent in a challenging recruitment landscape.