FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A new bill in Sacramento aims to help agencies in disadvantaged communities hire more first responders—by helping pay off educational loans.
“Just imagine someone coming into this profession, with a with a degree that they’ve spent a lot of money to get and then there is this incentive,” says Reedley Police Chief Joe Garza. “You come and work for the Police Department and that college bill can be taken care of. That is a huge incentive.”
Assembly Bill 2093 from Assemblyman Devon Mathis of Porterville would create an educational loan repayment program for first responders including peace officers, paramedics, EMTs and firefighters.
“We have a similar program for nurses. There’s this similar program out there for teachers, and it’s about drawing these professions into disadvantaged areas,” Mathis said.
Disadvantaged communities would be determined using the CalEnviroScreen, currently used for other programs that offer educational loan repayment.
Garza considers the five-year requirement a game changer, at a time when departments are struggling with retention, and recruitment from a narrow candidate pool.
“Usually about three to five years is when most officers from smaller agencies look at leaving,” he says.
Garza says he uses Reedley’s small-town charm as a selling point to candidates.
“We try to make this a family environment, try to get to a point where the officers know, ‘Hey, you’re more than just a number. You’re more than just a body that’s filling a spot.’”
“At this point, any tool that we can add to our tool chest to attract more candidates is certainly a win for the agency,” said Fresno Sheriff’s Captain Ryan Hushaw.
While the department has been able to fill deputy positions, it is constantly in need of new correctional officers.
“We have issues with candidates that look at Bay Area and Southern California. Some of the higher paying agencies,” Hushaw said.
“I’m hopeful this is something that we can get across the finish line. And if not, we started the discussion,” Mathis said.
The fund would be created using money from the state’s general fund.
To see the full text of AB 2093, click here.
