Philadelphia police announce recruitment initiative

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Philadelphia Police Department has announced a month-long recruiting event to fill hundreds of open positions.

The FOP Lodge #5 President John McNesby says the department is at dangerously low staffing levels.

He cites retirement, other job opportunities, and the pandemic for a drop in interest in the jobs.

There's also the relatively new requirement that applicants must live in the City of Philadelphia.

Recruits have to be at least 22-years-old and with a high school diploma.

The starting salary is more than $56,000 a year.

The department is about 260 officers short of the number for which it has budgeted.