Easton Police Department aims to solve recruiting shortage

EASTON, Md. – Police in Easton are facing new challenges in getting recruits after recent budget constraints.

According to Captain Gregory Wright, too much money is being prioritized for new equipment like body cameras and tasers instead of increasing salaries for officers.

Wright said new recruits will usually get a starting paycheck of about $42,000 dollars, which creates a challenge to compete with other nearby police departments for the same applicants.

“The use of body worn cameras, the use of less impact or less lethal weapons and tasers those all cost a lot of money to implement and those are coming from the same dollar that these other taxes are coming from to pay for salaries and salary benefits,” said Wright.

Wright also said the Easton Police Department has seen a significant drop in applicants during the past three to five years.