High retirement numbers have Springfield police recruiting

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Springfield, Illinois police department is seeking experienced officers to counter a growing number of retirements.

Police Chief Kenny Winslow says the department normally sees about 10 officers leave per year, but the number has been slightly higher the past few years.

Winslow said hiring experienced officers can be beneficial because of the relatively quick turnaround compared to the time it takes to train an inexperienced recruit.

Police officials say candidates applying to the department cannot be more than 34 years old and must have been employed for at least three of the past five years as a full-time police patrol officer.

The Springfield Police Department currently consists of 242 sworn officers. Given upcoming retirements, Winslow said he does not anticipate a slowdown in hiring until at least 2022.