With law enforcement across the state having issues filling empty positions with qualified officers, some are wondering if the DOJ’s report from last week will only hurt the situation.
Among those looking to fill vacancies is Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, who joined News Talk 830 WCCO’s Adam Carter and Jordana Green to discuss her efforts in recruiting qualified deputies and officers.
Last week’s report from the DOJ found the Minneapolis Police Department had a pattern of violating rights and improper policing.
Now, Witt says she thinks the report is going to make recruiting efforts more challenging.
“It’s difficult as is, and yes, I do, think that’s going to put a strain on recruitment. But at the end of the day, what we need people to realize is we need people to do this work,” Witt said.
Witt said that she can’t imagine a world where there aren’t enough law enforcement officials to respond to the calls they get on a daily basis.
When it comes to who she thinks needs to step up, Witt says it’s on herself and her fellow law enforcement leaders.
“Law enforcement leaders need to do our best that we can to recruit. We need to continue to work on our collaborations with each other. It will cause some strain, but at the end of the day, we have to believe in humanity as there’s people who really want to be out there.”
Even though the job isn’t easy, Witt knows there is fulfillment in the work she and her fellow deputies do daily.
“We need good men and women to wear these uniforms and this badge with the right intentions, the right core values to do the right thing, and we need to keep pushing for that,” she said.
