City Waives Residency Rule to Hire More Police

With about 400 vacancies that the Police Department has struggled to fill, and another 500 officers off duty due to injury claims, the City announced recently that it will waive the one-year residency requirement for police officers. City Council had passed the residency requirement in 2020, with the aim of bringing the police force’s racial makeup into alignment with the city’s population. But the timing proved problematic, as the pandemic and other factors made recruiting in a range of professions more difficult.

The law remains on the books, but it gives the City administration the ability to waive the requirement in times of dire need. Doing so is a welcome step, but in a tough labor market it won’t be enough. The City must develop a comprehensive recruitment plan that accelerates the hiring process without reducing the amount of training new officers receive. Signing bonuses or other inducements may be needed. One thing has become quite clear: Residents want city leaders absolutely focused on reducing violent crime, above all else.