Ely, Minnesota, is offering free canoes to new police recruits in exchange for three years of service. The unique incentive was introduced as Ely, like many other communities across the U.S ...

It's a very Northern Minnesota way of recruitment, and it's working. Ely Police began offering new hires a canoe, paddles, and life jackets this past winter.

The Ely Police Department is offering free Kevlar canoes to attract new hires and retain current employees. (Courtesy Ely police/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Ely is not an easy place to get to.

Ely, best known as a gateway to the popular Boundary Waters Canoe Area, will provide free Kevlar canoes worth $3,800 to the next officers it hires — and to current employees.

Local News Ely PD offers free canoes to help recruit new officers About 200 of Minnesota's 400 law enforcement agencies currently have openings posted on the state licensing board's job site.