What's next for policing in Wisconsin
GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- Jim Palmer, Executive Director for the Wisconsin Professional Police Association says a career in law enforcement is one of the most noble callings anyone can pursue.
"To go into a profession, to pursue a calling that requires you to put your safety behind the safety of your neighbors and others whom you'll never know is pretty extraordinary," Palmer said.
He says it's a calling that fewer people are pursuing across the state.
"There are a lot of occupations in this day and age that people can do that don't require them to put their lives and their personal safety at risk, aren't subjected to the kind of scrutiny that law enforcement officers are today, and they pay better," Palmer said.
In Green Bay, Green Bay Police Operations Commander Kevin Warych has seen a similar trend.
"We attribute that to various things that are happening around the country, what people are seeing happening to police officers, and really, people just don't want to get in this career," Commander Warych said.
However, Commander Warych remains positive.
The Green Bay Police Department says one of its biggest priorities is to match officers to the community and its needs.
"So we want to be very proactive in all communities within this community, so that we have a direct and accurate reflection of the Green Bay community within the Green Bay Police Department," Commander Warych said.
Commander Warych says the department is still seeing applicants wanting to be a part of the change.
"Wanting to be part of the change, be part of the conversation, and most importantly really serve this great community," Commander Warych said.
Commander Warych says he has not seen an uptick in resignations at the Green Bay Police Department.
