MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota police chiefs have launched a six-month public relations campaign to try to persuade more young people to enter law enforcement, which has had trouble attracting and retaining new officers in recent years.

The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association’s “Wear the Badge” campaign emphasizes the community service parts of police work through videos and online advertisements, The Star Tribune reported.

“Quite frankly, we are at a point of crisis in terms of public safety and men and women joining this very honorable profession,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo.

About 760 people have taken the statewide peace officer licensing exam this year, which is on pace to be the lowest total in about a decade, according to the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.

Low pay, high turnover and police shooting scandals have contributed to the lack of interest in entering the field, officials say.