Yakima Police Recruiting Changes Direction

Yakima Police officials have cancelled plans to try and recruit officers from the state of Arizona amongst other western states.

Lt. Mike Merryman says the response was not what the department expected.

“This particular outreach was for some lateral entries officers already employed and trained who are working in other parts of the country.”

The YPD is looking to fill more than five officer vacancies and is hoping to hire experienced officers so they can hit the streets faster as opposed to sending young officers to the academy.

Merryman says they will continue to try and recruit officers but the police department will work within Washington State.