Baltimore Police Department looking for Veterans

In 2010, the Baltimore Police Department began an anaggressive campaign to recruit over 300 new police officers, with a focus on college graduates, honorably discharged veterans, and those who are currently serving as members of our nation’s reserve and National Guard units.

Looking at the data, the number of veterans applying has gone down from 21% of all applicants in 2009 to approximately 16% of all applicants so far this 2011. However, at the same time, the total number of applicants that are applying for employment with the department have gone up.

In a recent CBS 60 Minutes segment (Homeless Vets: Does anyone care?) about unemployed veterans in the San Diego, California area, CBS highlighted some of the issues that Veterans face when exiting the service. What we learned from the 60 Minutes segment and looking into the unemployment statistics is that male veterans between 18-14 who served during the current campaign had an unemployment rate of nearly 22% in 2010. While 22% was is bad enough, when compared to non vets in the same age group, were more likely to participate in the labor force (74% to 67.5%). It doesn't make sense that vets, who want to work, are having a harder time finding and getting work than their non vet counterparts. I was further saddened to learn that Gulf War-era II vets who served while inthe Reserves or National Guard had an unemployment rate of 14.0% as of July 2010, compared to 12.1% for none vets of the same age group, and 9.1 % for the overall public.

Basically, if someone serves our countrythey are more likely NOT to find employment after being discharged thanthe general public. This is UNACCEPTABLE! While my job is to attract potential applicants to theBaltimore Police Department, being a veteran myself, I am stronglycommitted to helping fellow veterans and feel that our department woulddefinitely benefit them, as well they could benefit from ourdepartment. If you would be interested, I would like to schedule a time tosit down and talk about how we could possibly help each other and assistveterans at the same time. I am a firm believer that how we treat thosewho have served our country has a direct impact on the decision that ismade by future generations to serve.

Gregory W. Ostrander
Detective, Internal Investigation Division
410.396.2300