Recent Officer/Community Tensions Affect Police Recruiting

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's certainly been a difficult time for policing across the country. While some departments are having trouble getting new officers, others are using this time as a recruiting tool.

Rick Ritter breaks it all down.

Tensions are higher than ever between communities and police. It's a challenge that's hit some departments hard, while others are telling recruits now is the time they can make a change.

From Baltimore to DC, police departments nationwide are under heavy scrutiny. It's an issue that hit here last year with the arrest and death of Freddie Gray. Just last week, Alton Sterling was shot and killed by police in Baton Rouge. Then Philando Castile was shot to death in his car in Minnesota.

Daily protests are demanding change, something police chiefs say young black men can help deliver by joining their force.

"We're hiring. Get off that protest line and put an application in," said Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

While some departments across the country are seeing a drop-off in applicants, some of our local ones are seeing the opposite and using this time as an opportunity to make changes.

Baltimore City and Howard County police say they're seeing no setbacks.

"What I see happening right now is a call to action and young people want to be involved and our recruitment numbers are actually going up," said Baltimore City Police Director of Recruitment Major James Handley.

They're urging candidates to be part of a new movement in policing.

"We want them to have a guardian mentality and the guardian mentality is based on building long-lasting relationships with all members of the community," Handley said.

Others, like Baltimore and Anne Arundel county police, admit they're not seeing the numbers they'd like.

"There are challenges that we're facing but it isn't keeping us from getting the job done well," said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare.

They're putting a heavy focus on becoming more diverse.

"I think we have to look at every tragedy as an opportunity to get better and make the relationships in the community stronger," Altomare said.

A joint effort to push policing into a new era by learning from the past.

"You can be a part of change in not only policing in Baltimore but in America," Handley said.

Both Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County police currently have more than 20 openings in each department.

Baltimore City police urge those who are interested in joining their department to call 410-396-2340 for more information. For those interested in joining Baltimore County police, call 410-887-5542. To learn more about joining Anne Arundel County police, call 410-222-8677.