Facing Layoffs, Camden Police Are Recruited

Deep layoffs are making police officers in New Jersey's most impoverished city a hot commodity.

A recruiter from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department met with about 20 Camden, N.J., officers Wednesday in an effort to lure them to new jobs in the South.

The recruiter, Detective Leonard Keeler, told The Philadelphia Inquirer he expects other departments will try to hire Camden officers.

Camden is planning to lay off up to 180 officers from its 370-member force on Jan. 18. Retirements and concessions from officers' unions could reduce the number of layoffs.

The layoffs are a result of a budget crunch. But the police force in Nashville is expanding. Keeler is pitching job security and a lower cost of living.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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