Childcare and paid workouts during shifts are among the recruitment tools being implemented by the Maui Police Department (MPD) in their five-year strategic plan.
With police departments in Hawaii facing staff shortages, the MPD is exploring new strategies to attract and retain officers.
According to recent reports, the Honolulu Police Department currently has 390 vacant positions, including 101 officer vacancies.
Recruitment of staff is listed as one of the top priorities in the MPD’s strategic plan, driven by the concern for addressing crime, which was identified as the primary concern for Maui residents in a department survey on policing.
Sergeant Mike Crowe, Maui Police Chief of Staff, emphasized the importance of hiring more officers to combat crime effectively.
By increasing the number of officers on the streets through recruitment and training at the academy, the MPD aims to reduce crime opportunities and create a safer community.
To enhance recruitment efforts and promote officer retention, the MPD is implementing various strategies.
These include providing assistance such as childcare, mental health care, and paid workouts during shifts.
The department also aims to establish internal fair and transparent paths to promotions, ensuring that officers have a positive state of mind to perform their duties to the best of their abilities.
While these initiatives are seen as valuable by the State Police Officer Union’s Maui Chair, who believes they will help retain veteran officers, there is an urgency to translate the strategic plan into action promptly to prevent further attrition of officers and safeguard public safety.
Hawaii County Police are also taking steps to improve recruitment, such as increasing the number of recruit classes and accepting applications throughout the year.
The impact of these strategies on the budget is being assessed, and the Hawaii Police Department awaits feedback on their proposals.
For those interested in applying to the Maui Police Department or learning more about opportunities on the Big Island, a link is provided on MAUI and the Big Island’s ON2 website.
These recruitment efforts aim to strengthen the police force and ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
In other news, a 69-year-old man is currently in critical condition, but further details about the incident are not provided in the available information.
