ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. — The Erie County Department of Personnel says that there has been a drastic reduction in the number of people applying for the police officers civil service exam.
According to the county, only 367 applications have been submitted for the September 28 exam.
In 2016, there were 1,797 applicants--that's a 79% decrease in 8 years.
In a release, the county says that there are growing concerns about the ability of local police agencies maintaining.
"Few jobs in this world provide the opportunity to positively impact a person’s life, but a career in law enforcement allows for that possibility every single day” said Central Police Services Commissioner Brian Ross in the release. "For those that have soured on the law enforcement profession over the last several years, I challenge and encourage you to join the ranks and be an instrument of change from within."
The Buffalo Police Department just swore in 23 new officer on July 26, and the Erie County Sheriff's Office has multiple recruitment events planned.
"It's a difficult job, but it's a very rewarding job," said Chris Horvatits, Public Information Officer for the Erie County Sheriff's Office. "All of the Erie County Sheriff's deputies, jail deputies, corrections officers, they all care about their community, and they all care about making sure that this community is the best it can be."
Horvatits says that the Erie County Sheriff's Office will be looking to fill a handful of positions from this latest civil service exam.
"Our Community Services teams are getting out into the community, getting the word out, and we have a recruitment event coming up in the Seneca Nation in a couple weeks," Horvatits said. "So we're doing what we can to get the word out that this exam is coming up."
The deadline for the September 28 civil service exam is August 14.
To apply for the examination or to learn more information, visit the Erie County Personnel Department's website at www3.erie.gov/employment or call (716)-858-8484.
Related Video: