### Salary Increases and Aggressive Recruitment Among Top Priorities for Police, Says Local Congress
**Date:** Sunday, September 1, 2024
**Tijuana, Baja California** – Amid growing concerns about public safety, increasing the salaries of police officers and implementing more aggressive recruitment strategies have become top priorities for the local legislature, according to Jorge Ramos Hernández, a local deputy and president of the Security Commission.
“When I was mayor, there were 2,480 police officers in Tijuana. Today, 17 years later, that number remains the same, but the city’s population has surged by an additional one million residents,” Ramos Hernández pointed out.
**Enhancing Police Training**
The deputy from the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM) noted a troubling statistic: out of every 100 aspirants to the state police academy, only 7 to 11 cadets successfully graduate. “We need laws that facilitate rather than hinder opportunities, enabling a stronger municipal police presence. It’s urgent to increase the number of police officers,” he emphasized.
**Reforming Police Structures**
“One issue is that every three years, the municipal police structures are disrupted based on political favoritism rather than merit,” Ramos Hernández said. The goal is to shift towards a performance-based system to retain effective police commanders, ensuring continuity and efficiency.
**Addressing Police Corruption**
Highlighting the necessity of cleaning up state and municipal police forces, the former mayor added, “Equipping and strengthening a police force that has been infiltrated by criminals is futile. We must arm and support our honest police officers.”
To conclude, Ramos Hernández mentioned recent discussions with the Baja California Citizen Security Council, local security committees, the Police Citizen Security Secretariat, and Tijuana’s mayor-elect, Ismael Burgueño Ruiz.
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### Secondary Article: Escalating Police Salaries and Recruitment Efforts Gain Momentum Across the Globe
In a bid to address skyrocketing crime rates and bolster public safety, law enforcement agencies worldwide are adopting measures similar to those suggested for Tijuana. Here’s a brief overview of initiatives from various regions:
**United States:** Several states have introduced salary hikes for police officers to attract talent and reduce turnover. Additionally, innovative recruitment campaigns, including signing bonuses and collegiate partnerships, aim to diversify and strengthen the police workforce.
**United Kingdom:** The UK has launched nationwide efforts to recruit 20,000 new officers by 2023. This includes enhanced training programs focusing on community policing and digital literacy to tackle modern-day challenges.
**Australia:** Amid rising security concerns, Australian states have significantly increased funding for police forces. The recruitment drive focuses on gender balance and cultural competency to ensure a more inclusive police service.
**Canada:** Canadian law enforcement agencies have implemented strategies emphasizing mental health support and professional development for officers, alongside competitive salary packages to attract and retain skilled personnel.
As cities around the world grapple with similar public safety issues, the emphasis on better salaries and aggressive recruitment remains a common thread, reflecting a global recognition of the importance of well-supported and well-trained police forces.