One way to show appreciation is to increase the pay of police. That should become a goal of communities throughout Nebraska. Along with this higher pay will come more applicants and a better pool from which to select new officers. While the shortage can leave some communities desperate for help, we'd urge the state to be cautious about lessening the training required of police. Less training will only make the job more stressful.
Grand Island has a good, high-quality police force.
But it's a growing force in which plans are to add five new officers a year for the next five years. To attract good people and keep the quality of the force high, the jobs will have to be attractive. This is true throughout the country. If we want safe communities, we must make the job of protecting them one that is honored and rewarded. All rights reserved.