Some new additions to the Windsor Police Service.
17 new officers were welcomed to the service Wednesday during a badge presentation ceremony, 10 of which are new officers while the other seven are experienced officers from other police services.
Sgt. Steve Betteridge says the new officers are taking over for retiring staff and they plan to be hiring again in 2019.
"We're always hiring lately," says Betteridge. "We have quite a bit of hiring in the near future as well. So our recruiting initiatives are very busy right now. It's replacement for officers that are retiring and keeping our numbers up to be able to do our jobs properly in the community."
As part of the recruitment process, he says Windsor police have been getting the word out to high school students along with college and university students.
"We're looking for people that are dedicated to serving the community," says Betteridge. "We're looking for diversity and people that can reflect that we serve and we've been getting that with these new hirers and we're hoping to continue that."
In October of 2018, Chief Al Frederick said the service was facing a challenge in the search for 'good quality candidates' but that hiring less qualified people is not an option.
Last June, the Windsor Police Services Board approved hiring 12 new officers for the "Problem-Oriented Police Unit," also referred to as the 'POP' unit.
The special unit will focus on drugs and crime in the city centre.