Toledo Police need you - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Toledo police say they need more feet on the beat! The number of officers on the department is at a record low.

Toledoan Herbie Myrice considers him self an old timer who's not afraid to call the police.

"chased a few punks away too," said citizen Herbie Myrice.

Myrice says his neighborhood is pretty safe, but he knows other areas need more feet on the beat.

"I think they should get back where they were about 700 officers somewhere in that neighborhood and spread them out nice," said Myrice

The police department says the need you! The department has launched an aggressive recruiting campaign. The number of sworn officers is at an all time low -- 530.  And what's worse - their expecting a wave of officers to retire.

"That's the lowest point we've been at in modern times and when that happens it puts a strain on the rest of the police department," said Toledo Police Sgt. Joe Heffernan.
 
Police administrators are urging those interested to fill out an interest form online or in person. Toledo's been plagued by gun violence, robberies and murders. The chief of police wants to get the number of sworn officers back in the 600's.

In the spring the department graduated a class of 39 officers. There's a class of 40 in training now.
They plan to hire 75-80 officers.  Then another 40 officers.  Toledoan Laura Howze doesn't see the need for more police

"There's a lot of them they are always riding around do we need anymore no I don't think so," said citizen Laura Howze.  

For more information call the Toledo Police Department at 419-245-1075 or log onto www.toledopolice.com