Help Wanted: EGF Police Department

East Grand Forks may look to implement hiring incentives to try and lure more people to apply for a job with the police department.

The number of applications to become a cop has been steadily declining all over Minnesota.
City Administrator David Murphy says the League of Minnesota Cities estimates there will be some 800 open slots in 2022 and roughly 500 candidates in training.

East Grand Forks Police Chief Mike Hedlund says there’s a lot of competition out there.  “We are obviously struggling here.  To illustrate how difficult is has become in 2021-22 we have now run five processes…we have hired one officer.”

Incentives could range from hiring bonuses and retention pay…to relocation costs and business discounts. Hedlund says a common theme surfaces when visiting with current personnel.  “I have sent out emails looking for suggestions from our officers on what they think would be attractive.  The vast majority of responses are money.”

The East Grand Forks P-D currently has two open positions. The incentive package will be presented to the city council for review.