INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD is getting new help recruiting new police officers.
A group from the department's Pre-Academy Readiness program (PAR) took a short break from working out Tuesday to receive some encouragement from a special guest, Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly.
"Obviously, I love my community and Indianapolis, too," said Kelly. "So, I'm trying to get the best people here and the best jobs and inspire to want to do the hardest work I think there is."
As the son of an Ohio police officer, Kelly feels a special connection with law enforcement.
"They have an impossible duty to do. They are seeing the best and worst of humanity every single day. I think that the better recruits we can have every single day, the better we uplift them. I think trying to uplift people to do a job that in today's world sometimes a lot of people don't want to sign up for is a really cool experience," Kelly said.
Kelly even stayed long enough to watch the pre-academy participants warm up a little.
IMPD currently has about 1,445 sworn police officers. They're budgeted to have 1,743. Chief Chris Bailey said partnering with the hometown team is another opportunity for IMPD to reach a larger group of people.
"Our goal here is to get our message out that this is the best city to live in. This is the best place to raise your family. This is the best place to be a public servant and be a police officer and we are the best police department in the state of Indiana," Bailey said.
Colts fans can expect to see IMPD recruitment messages in various spots around the city, including outside Lucas Oil Stadium during some home games, all in hopes of attracting good candidates to the force.
"The people that decide every morning to get up and wear that badge and protect us, I believe they should be commended and admired," said Kelly.
Because for them, every day is game day.
According to IMPD, new police officers will make nearly $72,000 in their first year.
Information about becoming an IMPD officer can be found on their recruitment website.