by Associated Press
Published: Sun, January 20, 2008 - 2:10 pm CST
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Highway Patrol has nearly 200vacant trooper jobs statewide, and some are worried that it could
be a problem for public safety.
Concerns were raised after the deadly 70-vehicle pile-up on
Interstate 4 in Polk County on January 9th. Only two troopers were
patrolling Polk County when the early morning accidents occurred in
heavy fog, killing five people.
Colonel John Czernis says it wasn't staffing but weather and
speeding drivers that caused the accidents. He says the Florida
Department of Transportation placed warning signs up in the area,
and FHP patrolled it for much of the night without seeing any
problems.
Czernis acknowledged that stabilizing the work force and getting
better pay for his 1,600 officers is his top priority.
The FHP has 186 trooper vacancies statewide. Base pay for new
troopers is $33,977, according to FHP, which is lower than many
other police agencies in Florida.
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