NORTH CAROLINA, USA — Law enforcement agencies across the country have been dealing with staffing shortages. As a result, agencies have tried all sorts of tactics to increase recruitment. For agencies here in the Triad, some of those tactics are paying off.
According to the Winston-Salem Police Department, 75% of their recruits said they found out about the job opening over social media.
As of the last few months, the department says they've done a social media re-vamp which has helped them grow their academy numbers.
"It makes me feel good because it was a challenge to recruit because of some of the things happening in the media across the country, and then with COVID, it was difficult to recruit people. Now that we've kind of came out of that. We've revamped the website, and our social media platforms and we're getting them in testing at a high rate, and we're getting quicker returns on our applications too. So, that just goes to us being able to fill up classes quicker," explained Winston-Salem Police Department recruiter, Corporal Christopher Doub.
Doub said February's academy is expected to be the largest they've seen in four years.
Over in Alamance County, the sheriff's office is spreading the word that they too have openings.
Tuesday night from 4-7 p.m. future employees will meet other detention officers, look at their equipment, and have a chance to ask questions.
The sheriff's office said they've been understaffed for the past few years, but the hiring events, bonuses, and incentives help.
"These are our most successful events in doing the hiring or the information sessions here at this sheriff's office. That way we can have people come here and then meet the detention officers in administration and then they get to come to the sheriff's office, we show them where the jail is at, and then the office," said Alamance County Sheriff's office's, Sergeant Karla Swiggett.
While some agencies are slowly climbing out of the staffing shortage hole, others are still struggling.
The Guilford County Sheriff's office says in November they had 68 detention vacancies. As of January 16th, they have 76.
The sheriff's office is planning an information session at the end of the month so people can learn more about what they have to offer.
