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Local police agencies hold career fair for law enforcement opportunities

In a room in Cary Saturday, a good job candidate was a prized catch and there were plenty of people casting nets.

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By
Adam Owens
, WRAL anchor/reporter
CARY, N.C. — In a room in Cary Saturday, a good job candidate was a prized catch.

And there were plenty of people casting nets.

Kelly Emory was looking for a job in law enforcement.

“I am just grateful for this opportunity today,” said Emory. “I feel like there is a place for everyone to join something that is in need right now.”

That’s why Emory was at the career fair sponsored by Cary police.

Around the room, a dozen other law enforcement agencies in Wake County were also invited.

Just as in other industries right now, sergeant Travis Gresham with Cary police said the market for new talent is tight.

“I think it’s just the time we are in right now,” said Gresham.

Corporal Armando Bake is also a recruiter with Cary police.

“The candidate pool has gone down. Previously, we might get a couple hundred people applying for a handful of positions," said Bake. "Now the number is less.”

Some agencies have a greater need than others. In Cary, officer vacancies are around 8 percent, a higher rate than in some recent years.

At the highway patrol, a little more than 10% of sworn positions are vacant.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office is down more than 15% in sworn deputies. At their detention center, vacancies are more than double at 39%.

At the Raleigh Police Department, 21%percent of officer positions are open.

Officials there told WRAL News retirements and resignations are playing into the shortages they and other departments are seeing.

While the number of candidates is down, those that do show up really want to be here.

“The people who really want to get in, they are still applying," said Bake. "They really want to do this job, they have the heart for it. So, that is what we are seeing.”

Emory seems to be one of those people. She knows this line of work is not easy.

“You have to follow your heart, and if this is what you want to do – you don’t focus on the negative like that,” said Emory.

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