Officials speculate that low starting salaries, negative publicity and other factors likely are making it more difficult for the Kansas Highway Patrol and some local law enforcement agencies across the state to recruit new officers.

The result is a startling number of vacancies that may compromise the safety of Kansas residents, as well as officers on the job. It’s a situation that demands immediate attention.

The Highway Patrol currently has more than 100 open positions, according to recent news reports. The Wichita Police Department reports 50 vacant positions and the Shawnee County Sheriff’s office in Topeka has 34. Fortunately, recruitment appears to be less of a problem locally. The Douglas County Sheriff reports just three deputy vacancies among 76 positions, and the Lawrence Police Department says it is fully staffed, thanks to hiring policies that allow it to plan ahead for retirements and other vacancies. Nonetheless, LPD spokesman Sgt. Trent McKinley indicates that recruiting top candidates remains a challenge and “we are seeing fewer applicants who can successfully make it to the job offer stage.”

Officials across the state say that high-profile cases that reflect negatively on law enforcement may be partially to blame. They also cite low starting salaries that may not attract young people — especially those trying to pay off college loans.

Another factor may be that law enforcement careers seem to have gotten more dangerous in recent years, with the rise in gun violence across the country. Highway patrol officers, for instance, used to work in pairs so that an officer involved in a traffic stop had some backup. Now, they travel alone and face unknown dangers whenever they approach a vehicle on the highway.

It’s true that a few high-profile cases have hurt the image of some law enforcement agencies, especially in large urban areas. Those cases should be investigated and, if warranted, prosecuted, but they involve only a small number of officers and hopefully won’t deter other young men and women from pursuing law enforcement careers.

The best way to ensure a strong and respected police force is to hire highly qualified officers and maintain staffing levels that support safety and professionalism on the job. Law enforcement isn’t for everyone, but it’s an honorable profession that plays a key role in our quality of life. Governments and the public need to give those agencies the resources and respect they deserve.