APD reinstating program to recruit experienced officers

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Police Department is working hard to find people who want to work for them.

But the city's top cop admits that because of high profile encounters between police and the public, it's not easy trying to staff his department.%

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"Recruiting is a challenge for all of us at this point  not because of anything one particular agency is doing or not doing  I think it's because of the atmosphere we find ourselves in  in public safety," said Atlanta Police Chief George Turner.
 
Turner told Channel 2's Nefertiti Jaquez that he is re-instating the department's Lateral program which essentially allows experienced law enforcement officers from other agencies to transfer to APD through an expedited application process.
 
Sgt. Karla Baldini came in through the department's Lateral program 11 years ago before it was eliminated. Now she oversees Crime Stoppers, which helps detectives solve many of their cases.

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"It's a calling. It's not about a job for money.  A calling that you want to come in and make something of yourself and make this your life."
 
She is a representation of the people the chief says he needs in order to fill the 175 current vacancies.
 
"We are inspiring people to be the change they want to see. If you want to see your department, your city police in a different fashion come and join the Atlanta Police Department," Turner said.

Cox Media Group