BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Bellingham Police Department is using some new recruiting methods to attract new officers.
The department is one of the first two in the state to receive $60,000 grants to help diversify their forces.
BPD will use the money to offer signing bonuses to new recruits who are proficient in a second language.
Some of the money will also fund department outreach.
The department is also relaxing its rule that new officers have at least a two-year degree.
Chief Rebecca Mertzig says they are not lowering their standards, but just temporarily lowering the barrier keeping some qualified individuals from becoming police officers.