Interest in police jobs rises since 2000
5/15/2004Twice as many people have taken an interest in becoming a Toledo police officer than four years ago, the last time a police examination was given.
Police have received 5,213 interest cards compared to 2,616 the department collected before the last test in February, 2000, personnel Capt. Mike Murphy said.
More than 4,100 interest cards were filed since the beginning of the year. The remainder were collected between the last test four years ago and January of this year.
In addition, more than 1,000 people have gone directly to the civil service commission or the city's human resources department, said Sgt. Gloria Burks of the police department's background and recruitment unit.
Those who filled out cards and anyone else interested in becoming an officer can start applying today to take the next police test, which is scheduled for June 19.
Police personnel said there are many reasons why there was more interest this time, including more recruitment efforts - especially through advertising.
"We were guaranteed an influx [after newspaper, television, and radio ads appeared,]" Sergeant
Burks said.
She said other factors include the economy, the potential to work in one of the department's specialized units, and the ability to fill out interest cards on the Internet.
Many people who couldn't take the test four years ago now are eligible to do so, the sergeant added.
She said about 2,700 people signed up to take the last test in 2000. About 1,500 people took the exam.
Anyone who wants to take the test in June must complete an application. Those who live 50 miles or more from Toledo may have someone else apply on their behalf.
Applications for the exam will be accepted on the first floor of Toledo fire headquarters, 545 North Huron St., through May 28. Applicants are asked not to park on Huron in front of the building.
Applications will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, May 17 through May 28. They also will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 20; 8 a.m. to noon May 22, and 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 25.
Applicants must be 21 years old on or before the day of the test, which will be given at the SeaGate Centre. They cannot be older than 34 on test day.
They must have a high school diploma or GED certificate prior to application. Applicants will receive a copy of the civil service announcement, study guide, admission card, test orientation session schedule, and associated materials.
Those who take the test will learn their results about five weeks after the exam. Members of the next police academy class, scheduled to begin in December, will be selected from the eligibility list developed from the test.
Police trainees are paid $18.60 an hour while in the academy, $19.76 an hour after graduation, and $20.92 after one year on the job.
Contact Christina Hall at
chall@theblade.com or
419-724-6007.