TPD starts campaign to increase its ranks

75 candidates will start at police academy in '13

8/23/2012
BY TAYLOR DUNGJEN
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Natalie Sprott thinks it would be pretty cool for her dad to become a Toledo police officer.

The 5-year-old and her father, David Sprott, 33, talked to officers Wednesday at the kickoff for the Toledo Police Department's recruitment campaign.

"I always thought it would be a good thing to do," Mr. Sprott, a former military man, said of becoming an officer.

The department is looking for a pool of candidates for a class of 75 recruits starting at the police academy next year -- one of the largest classes in the department's recent history.

Lt. Brian Twining, in the recruitment bureau, said the largest class he could recall was 120 officers who joined the force in 1983.

WHAT IS REQUIRED

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the police recruiting class must:

  • Be 20 to 34 years old.
  • Have a high school diploma or GED.
  • Fill out an interest card found at toledopolice.com.
  • Turn in a formal application, available from Nov. 3-16, also on the Web site.
  • Take a civil service exam set for Dec. 1.
  • Pass a background check, an interview, and medical and psychological exams.
  • Pass a physical-fitness test, including a 1.5-mile run that must be finished in 15 minutes, 14 seconds or less.

The department has been "severely understaffed for many years," police Chief Derrick Diggs said during the kickoff. The Toledo police force currently numbers 574 sworn officers.

Mayor Mike Bell said the job "is not an easy job -- it's a very difficult one -- but one that is very rewarding."

Potential candidates first must fill out an "interest card" -- which can be found on the department's Web site, toledopolice.com. Information from the card goes into a database and allows the department to send reminders about the civil service exam, to be administered Dec. 1.

To be eligible to take the test, would-be recruits must fill out a formal application, which will be available from Nov. 3 until Nov. 16, also on the Web site.

To qualify for the job, applicants must be between 20 to 34 years old and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Besides passing the civil-service exam, applicants must also clear a background check, psychological and medical exams, and participate in an interview.

A physical-fitness test -- including 22 push-ups and a 1.5-mile run, which must be completed within 15 minutes and 14 seconds -- must also be completed.

"It's a good job, it's fun," said Officer Brian Calzone, a member of the Toledo police motorcycle unit. "If it's what your heart is into, go for it."

Anyone with questions about the job or the recruitment process should call 419-245-1075.

Contact Taylor Dungjen at: tdungjen@theblade.com, 419-724-6054, or on Twitter @tdungjen_Blade.