800 sign up for testing to join city police class

More than 800 aspiring police officers applied over just three days to the take the next civil service test in an attempt to fill one of what is usually just a handful of spots in the next class of recruits.

The number of applicants is expected to increase in the next two weeks. This is also the first year people can apply by simply filling out a form online instead of going in person to Government Center downtown.

Peg Wallace, the city's director of human resources, said 3,000 people or more could apply before the 4:30 p.m. Aug. 6 deadline.

The people applying now will take the city's Aug. 22 civil service exam. Those who are selected for the next police class could start training in mid-2011, at the earliest.

"After Aug. 22, I analyze all the data and we submit the results to the civil service commission and we establish the eligible list," Ms. Wallace said. "We usually have about 1,200 people on that list."

After that, up to 150 make it to the background-check stage.

Dan Wagner, president of the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association, said the number of applicants is large but expected because of the poor economy. The increase in high school and college graduates with fewer job prospects prompts more people to apply to be police officers, he said.

But Police Chief Michael Navarre said the initial number was lower than usual and he doubts it will reach 3,000 in two weeks.

For economic reasons, it has been more than four years since a new class was hired and more than six years since a civil service test was given, he said.

"We lost a lot of officers to suburban departments That might be affecting the numbers," he said.

Chief Navarre added that the number of people who apply to take the test is usually higher than the number who actually take it.

Councilman D. Michael Collins said the 2010 and 2011 police classes are essential for public safety.

"I think it's absolutely critical," Mr. Collins said. "Twenty-four months from now we will have approximately 50 fewer officers for service than we do now."

He said the 2011 class should contain about 30 recruits.

Officially, the class size has not been determined.

Mayor Mike Bell's administration pushed back the start of this year's new police class from Oct. 1 until Nov. 1 to save the city $175,000 for the 2010 budget.

Those 30 recruits were from the 2008 police class that was canceled for budget reasons by then Mayor Carty Finkbeiner.

Police Capt. Ron Navarro said the applicants can attend orientation sessions and pick up study guides to prepare for the civil service exam.

People must apply in person at One Government Center unless they reside more than 20 miles outside the city of Toledo. Those people can have someone else file the application or apply by e-mailing Toledo.humanresources@toledo.oh.gov to request an application.

The city will be accepting applications this week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Next week, applications will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 4, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 5, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 6.

Chief Navarre has said the force has 576 uniformed officers. He said there have been 23 retirements this year, and eight to 10 more are anticipated.

Contact Ignazio Messina at:

imessina@theblade.com

or 419-724-6171.