San Diego Trying to Persuade Officers to Return

Last fiscal year, the San Diego Police Department lost 241 officers, a 51% increase from the year prior. Another 138 officers have already left this year.

On April 3, a letter was reportedly sent to former San Diego police officers, asking them to "consider again being part of the team," and to "be a part of the police department that is dedicated to serving and collaborating with our community," NBC San Diego reports.

Shortly after these letters were distributed, images of the letter were posted to a social media account used by former and current San Diego police officers.

The letter states that incentives to return include a 5% pay increase in 2023 and 2024. It also states that COVID vaccines are not required and entices former officers with specialized assignments in the K-9 Unit and SWAT team.

Paul Cappitelli, a retired Sheriff’s Department captain and police practices expert said, "My sense is they are not going to have a ground swell of people that are going to say 'Great, I am going to come back for an extra 5% or 10%."