Frazzled Police Turn to Public For Help - NEWS HOUR FIRST

The city of Phoenix, Arizona, wants to hire at least 30 people as fast as they can start. The department is understaffed across the board.

In addition to new officers, which are currently at a premium due to scarcity, the desert city got approval to “add 25 police civilian investigators,” assigned to cover “administrative tasks in violent and property crimes.” Along with that, they will work with the drug enforcement bureau. Insiders report that administration is working hard to identify routine police “job functions that can be performed by civilians.” To get more actual officers on the street, Phoenix started offering hiring bonuses up to $7,500 as well as “retention bonuses to keep officers.”