Many small county and municipal police departments around New York and across the country have experienced staff shortages because they haven’t been able to hire replacements for officers who resign or retire.

Desperate to fill their ranks, some communities will hire officers with questionable backgrounds, officers with a proven record of malfeasance or criminal conduct, who have been fired by the previous employer or resigned while under investigation.

These so-called “wandering officers” potentially put the public at risk while at the same time undermine the integrity and respect due to the officers of the department they join.

Sometimes, the community hiring the officer isn’t be aware........

© The Leader Herald