The Lincoln Police Department has launched a new website for officer recruitment so they can engage potential applicants. The LPD aims to diversify the department so it represents the community in age, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said the police force must grow in new ways in order to strengthen community ties.
"We are asking residents of every background to answer this call to serve our community," she said. "If you want to help others, if you want to do more than just a job, if you want to leave this community better than you found it, then consider becoming one of the newest members of our Lincoln Police Department."
Police recruitment has declined over the last two decades. In 1999, 355 people applied to become Lincoln police officers. Last year, only 159 residents applied.
Chief Jeff Bliemeister said this year’s events have impacted recruitment and retainment, specifically the pandemic, and the killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Investigator Mario Herrera in Lincoln.
Bleimeister said he believes this is an opportunity to call for change in the police profession and recognize the potential sacrifices.
"We have to be candid. We have to have a willingness to have hard conversations, which we are," he said. "And, we want to encourage those who come forward, have questions, maybe don't support in their view what law enforcement does, that we can change those minds through their service by diversifying our workforce."
The department encourages anyone with an interest in becoming a Lincoln police officer to visit www.joinlpd.com