How’s this lede, from the Post Bulletin in Rochester, Minn., in a story relating to the San Diego Police Department’s recruitment drive in Winona, Minn:
The San Diego Police Department will be hiring 600 new officers over the next three years, thanks to the city’s fast growth and normal turnover.
Yep. That’s right, the Police Department needs new people because the city’s growing and the turnover at the department is “normal.” A quick Google search would’ve revealed that the SDPD is mainly hiring because it’s drastically low on staff and has been losing record numbers of troops for the last few years.
The story gets better, however, pointing out the main reason the SDPD’s in Minnesota:
The Winona State University criminal justice department graduates about 50 new students a year, and the law enforcement market in the Midwest is tight.
It’s a perfect fit.
Recruiters for the San Diego department are coming to Winona State Friday to try to test candidates.
“Everyone has a need in California for law enforcement officers,” said Sgt. Randy Jones, who’s in charge of recruiting for the San Diego Police Department. “We’re looking to go to places where maybe there’s not as much competition for people.”
Police departments from other booming cities have also come to Winona to recruit, the story says, including departments from Phoenix and Las Vegas.