PoliceLink

We have 6 openings and no applicants

We have two openings and just ran a test. We had almost 200 people take it. No shortage of applicants here in New Jersey.

we don't have a shortage of applicants... just a shortage of qualified applicants.

always slots... never even close to enough to fulfill it in the Air Force

I know that California is starving for law enforcement officers...constant shortage.

hawk639 said:

We never seem to have a shortage. But I am looking to move and spoke with depts down south who seem to be.

liablemtl said:

Personally... I think in many cases, departments are placing rigidly high standards for new recruits and are washing out a majority of good candidates. I know one local agency has a shortage and advertise that they have relaxed their standards for new recruits; however, their background investigators have been directed to scrub 90% of all candidates. In many cases, I've seen good people get shafted for even the most minute detail on their background. I know the reason why departments do this, though... this allows the department to come back and say, "look, we've washed out 90% of all candidates; we're getting the cream of the crop."

psorrels said:

we have 28 spots and we can only put 20 into a academy.... they say people arent qualiified that are applying

I think the hiring process is a little intimidating for candidates. In New England, the process consists of a written exam, physical exam, oral board interview, and a background check. If you fail one of these, you have to start all over again. I have heard it takes most people a few times to pass an oral board interview.

tpd5955 said:

Here in Nj we are experiencing the same trend that the rest of the nation is facing. We have so many spots that we can't fill them fast enough. They (admin) are trying to keep pace but it has been an uphill battle, with people retiring and others leaving to go to other agencies. I do thing we need to take a serious look at our (law enforcement) hiring practices, the people that are applying for the career of law enforcement is scary.

DetSgtDarryl said:

hawk639 said:

We never seem to have a shortage. But I am looking to move and spoke with depts down south who seem to be.

could the south be not paying enough?

looking for a job in louisiana any body know if any dept hiring?

I live in Michigan and put myself through an academy. Of the 22 that finished the academy, I'd guess that roughly half have a job now......... We graduated in December. Jobs are pretty scarce here.

That's the other thing as well...we were told that it costs thousands of dollars to put us through the hiring process, medical exam, have our uniform purchased, etc. Then two weeks into the academy and ten people have already walked. It's a bummer that those slots were filled by people who didn't have the heart/dedication/drive to see it through to the end when there're people out there who'd give an arm or a leg (or both) to step foot onto academy grounds in a uniform with the opportunity to be an officer.

It amazes me that so many of the profiles on this site say "considering joining" yet we have a nationwide shortage of qualified police officer candidates. Maybe they just like the thought of being an officer, and lack the commitment it takes. All this, and low pay too? Gee, I wonder why the candidates are taking other jobs. My brother makes over three times what I do designing trunking systems for a telephone company and is miserable. Its pretty hard to tell an X gen that money isn't everything and its not all about you. There are other things more important, like living with honor and protecting the whole, not just your part. Few and far between in my experience. I must be in a bad mood tonight because this stuff is pissing me off. Get off the sidelines and get in the game. If you are so interested in being a cop, move, borrow money, whatever it takes. Or, shut your yap and don't be a C#CKbreath, that is giving lip service instead of doing something.