Sheriff hopes to improve recruiting through new Explorer’s Program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — The Sangamon County sheriffs department has seen a sharp decline in applications.

“So what we call the traditional applications, we’re getting very few, I mean, less than than 10 a year now,” Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said. “And but we’re getting quite a few lateral applications. So these are other officers that have worked in other jurisdictions in Illinois that are certified to the state of Illinois, that are interested in coming to the sheriff’s office.”

To try and jumpstart local interest in his office, the sheriff is opening his doors to teenagers considering a career in law enforcement. The new explorers program will bring in 14 to 20-year-olds from Sangamon County to see what it takes.

“We’re excited to bring young people ages 14 to 20 into the fold, give them some real life, experience some education, and help them and gain some disciplinary skills,” Campbell said.

It’s a brand new…