(Statehouse) – State Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) has authored legislation that would remove residency requirements for police officers and firefighters.
Frye says House Enrolled Act 1055 would encourage more people to cross county lines to consider applying for police and firefighting positions.
“The United States has seen a national decrease in public safety officials. In 2020-2021, law enforcement agencies hired fewer new officers, while resignations and retirements increased,” Frye said. “According to a study from the Police Executive Research Forum, retirements had increased by 45% and resignations by 18% across the United States.
“Additionally, firefighters have seen a decrease in their ranks. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the next decade, an average of 28,000 firefighting job openings are projected every year. Locally, Greensburg, Jeffersonville, Scottsburg, Clarksville, and other towns are currently hiring police officers, firefighters, or other public safety officials,” he added.
“These openings in our police and firefighter forces must be filled,” Frye said. “Emergencies don’t occur on a schedule, and to keep Hoosiers safe, we must have responders on standby and be ready at a moment’s notice.”
The measure is now being considered by the Indiana Senate.
