Police departments across Arizona are experiencing officer shortages and are offering hiring bonuses to new applicants in hopes of recruitment.

The Glendale Police Department announced this weekend that it is offering a $10,000 bonus for applicants as in state police officers. The department has a number of police officers approaching retirement, which is creating the need for positions to be filled. 

Tom Sye is a detective with the Glendale Police Department. 

“This large group of people who were hired way back when, when we were expanding and trying to grow, again they’re now hitting that retirement age and doing just that," Sye said. 

Sye said although the department does have opened positions, it is not seeking applicants just because they need them. He said the bonuses being offered are with the intention of gaining quality applicants to the department.

Other departments such as Phoenix and Mesa are also offering bonuses to help fill vacant positions. Phoenix is offering $5,000 for new recruits and Mesa is offering $7,500.