Here's why Hamilton police are struggling to recruit new officers — and why some still want to wear a badge

Eric Luna Martinez has been around police his whole life.

“I was born in Mexico and I had a grandfather who was a police officer,” he said.

The 17-year-old who lives in Hamilton said he wants to wear a badge, but also has reservations.

“The hatred people have toward the police and police brutality, that is pretty bad and quite frankly very demotivating,” Luna Martinez said.

Lucas Giles, 20, is also an aspiring officer in Hamilton. He’s set on joining the service, but said he gets “worried” hearing about staffing levels.

“You don’t want to be burning yourself out,” Giles said.

Hamilton police are competing with