LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9's Myrt Price found out the Leesburg Police Department in Lake County is trying to find new officers to fill its force.
The department has placed billboards in Ocala, 36 miles away, to recruit.
"We seek out the best applicants and recruits that we can,” said Joe Iozzi with the Leesburg Police Department.
The department has around five open positions, and possibly more in the next few months.
"We have some retirements that are coming up and some other officers who may be detaching,” Iozzi said.
Competition is fierce between agencies all over Central Florida to bring in recruits.
"We hope that money talks and we will attract more applicants as a result of that,” Iozzi said.
The Leesburg Police Department offers a starting salary of nearly $42,000 a year, the highest in Lake County. The Ocala Police Department offers $40,000, while the Marion County Sheriff's office offers $35,000.
There has also been turmoil within the Ocala Police Department and Marion County Sheriff's Office. Earlier this year, Sheriff Chris Blair was arrested and removed from office; he later took a plea deal.
Ocala Police Chief Greg Graham is on paid leave after allegations of sex harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
Eyewitness News asked the Leesburg Police Department if all the turmoil within the Ocala Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has led to interest from people currently working in those agencies.
"We do receive applications from people with experience, and in some cases they may be eligible for a higher pay grade," Iozzi said.
But they wouldn’t tell Eyewitness News where any of those potential candidates work.
Police said the billboard messages cost around $1,000 and so far, they’ve had 10 interested candidates come forward in an area they normally wouldn’t have any.