Inglewood Police Department hunts for new recruits
Kelly Williams | 4-8-2010 | Comments |
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Looking for a job with health insurance, vacation pay and a salary of nearly $49,000 a year? In the current recession it may seem like all employers are cutting jobs. However the Inglewood Police Department is actively recruiting officers.
“I can get you a job tomorrow in the Inglewood Police Department if you want it,” said Michael Falkow, deputy city administrator and chief information officer for Inglewood. ”We really need cops.”
Inglewood is one of the few police departments in Southern California that is recruiting, and officers in the field are feeling the strain of being understaffed. The Inglewood Police Department’s budget is authorized for 221 sworn positions, 26 of which are vacant. Officers note the increasing gang violence within the city as evidence of the need for more officers. “We are understaffed and need to recruit around 25 to 30 people,” said Field Sgt. Juan Ferreira. “But vacancies may change based on the economy and how many graduates we get from the academy.”
The Inglewood police department has come under criticism recently from residents and federal officials with claims of brutality after a number of police shootings. Both the City Council and the police department are eager to restore the department’s image, and new officers are one way of doing that.
“The standards now are more specific and competitive,” said Councilman Daniel Tabor.
The police department averages 10 candidates a year from the academy, and anywhere from four to 12 candidates will be ready from January through November, Tabor said.
In order to apply, applicants must show a high school diploma or equivalent, be at least 20 years old, have vision corrected to 20/25 and weight proportionate to their height, U.S. Citizenship within three years of application with the city, and a valid California driver’s license by the time of appointment to a position.
Applicants must undergo a six-step selection process including a physical examination. Those who meet the necessary qualifications are invited to the written examination, which consists of 100 multiple-choice questions based on general knowledge, reading comprehension, and detail recognition.
Candidates passing the written examination with a score of 75 percent or above are invited to take a physical agility test. The physical examination consists of four exercises designed to measure strength and endurance including pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups and a one-and-a-half mile run.
A crucial step in the application process is an oral interview conducted by a panel of police personnel based on situational questions. Candidates must receive a minimum of 70 percent to be placed on the employment eligibility list. The top candidates from the eligibility list then complete background and medical examinations before a position is offered.
Applications will be accepted by the Police Personnel Section, on the second floor of the City Hall building, on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applicants have applied. Candidates are encouraged to apply early. Information is available online at Inglewoodpd.org
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