Problem is that some of these people could not get hired by LMPD so they went off to another department, spent some time and now want to get with LMPD via having experience. What makes them so qualified now when they couldn't make it before? Laterals is NOT the only answer to our shortages. Better pay and benifits is the way to go. Problem is out of every class of lateral that have been hired, (before after merger) other departments problem children have been brought here and we have paid the price.