According to CBS 12 in Providence, the New Bedford Police Department is offering $5,000 sign-on bonuses in an attempt to attract new recruits.New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira said the department has been short-staffed for a while and has been struggling to recruit new officers. The department currently employs 214 officers, though it budgets for 259 annually meaning the department needs to hire 45 more officers to be considered fully staffed. Oliveira said the bonuses will be offered until the department “sees a substantial recovery in its staffing levels.” Officers who are hired and receive the bonus must remain on the job for five years in order to retain it.

A record number of New Bedford officers retired in January.