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Police chief cites recruiting and retention squeeze; council considers take‑home vehicles and sign‑on bonuses
Summary
City police leaders told the council they have one vacancy open since September and fewer than a dozen applicants; staff said take‑home squad cars and sign‑on bonuses are being used elsewhere and merit further study as lower‑cost retention tools.
The Isanti City Police chief told the council the department has struggled to recruit and retain officers and asked the council to consider policy changes including limited take‑home squad vehicles and sign‑on bonuses to improve hiring and retention.
Why it matters: The city has had the current vacancy since September, and staff said low application numbers risk stretching the remaining officers’ workloads. Council members and staff discussed whether non‑salary benefits such as take‑home vehicles could reduce turnover and whether sign‑on bonuses would be an effective alternative.
The chief said the pool of candidates statewide has shrunk…
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