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Northeast Ohio police departments struggle to find new recruits

Police brutality around the country has left many not trusting law enforcement, but those taking the test in South Euclid want to change the perception.

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio — At police departments across Northeast Ohio, there's a growing problem: Few are showing up for the civil service test.

It's a test that, in the past, was very popular -- sometimes attracting up to 300 people. But in this class, there are only 11 people trying to join South Euclid's force.

"Obviously, [with] the environment out there with law enforcement officers, there's a lot of things going on," Mark Zamiskan, the city's civil service commissioner, said. "People don't have a good opinion of us."

Police brutality around the country has left many not trusting law enforcement. 3News spoke to a law enforcement educator who has seen a decline in students studying criminal justice as a career. They chose to remain anonymous.

"Our decline in declared majors and new student enrollment mirrors the decline in police agency applicants nationwide," the explained. "Highly publicized deteriorating police community relations over the last several years due to police misconduct, racial discrimination, mishandling of persons with mental illness and the ongoing danger and stress of law enforcement has significantly contributed to declining interest in law enforcement."

But potential candidates taking the test at Notre Dame College didn't feel that way.

"Just make sure you are ready for the job and things that come with it," Damien Russell, of Cleveland, said.

For it is the mistrust of police that the few and proud want to change. 

"You have to gain the public's trust," fellow Clevelander Matthew Woisnet remarked, "and I believe I can do that."

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