Newport-Mesa police take different approach to hiring

Greg Risling

Veteran experience versus unbridled energy.

These are intangible qualities often seen in police officers, usually

depending on their age.

It’s not to say an aging officer can’t have the same vitality as a

younger counterpart. Still, the differences can be clear, judging by the

departments in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.

Each is taking a different approach when it comes to the average age of

their forces.

Costa Mesa has stocked its police department with scores of young

recruits, adding about 40 officers since 1997. The average age of that

particular group, which comprises about 25% of the department, was 29

years old.

In Newport Beach, the department has opted for an aging staff that

provides more experience and leadership. The average age of Newport

officers is about 36 years old. But officials realize they will need to

hire new blood in the next several years because of an anticipated flood

of retirements.

“We are expecting a bunch of people leaving over the next several years,”

said Newport Beach police Sgt. Mike McDermott. “Right now, we have a lot

of pros who have a better ability to pick out the bad guys.”

While both departments currently have staffs of similar size -- Costa

Mesa has 146 sworn officers and Newport has 137 -- those numbers tend to

fluctuate.

Since 1997, Costa Mesa has seen eight retirements, many of them in key

positions including this week’s loss of Sgt. Tom Boylan, and has lost 11

officers to medical problems. Another 11 were either fired or left for

another department.

The empty positions have quickly been filled through promotion and a

heavy emphasis on attracting cadets from the police academy. By the

beginning of next year, Costa Mesa plans to have 154 sworn officers, its

largest force ever.

Yet, where Costa Mesa gains in numbers, it lacks in experience. Nearly

three-quarters of its patrol officers have less than four years’

experience and 37% have less than two years on the beat.

Like a professional sports team releasing high-priced players for young

talent, Costa Mesa is looking for a long-term payoff.

“We have gone to a younger force with an emphasis on hiring entry-level

people,” said Costa Mesa’s hiring manager, Hugh Tate. “With the amount of

people we’ve hired over the past several years, we plan to have a solid

nucleus for about 20 years.”

Tate said the department hopes to make up for the inexperience by weeding

out poor candidates through its field training program. While the

recruitment pool is shallow due to a healthy economy and an increased

demand by police departments, Costa Mesa attempts to mold cadets to its

liking.

“Each department has its own standards,” Tate said. “Here in Costa Mesa,

we have established a loyalty system that provides longevity. We have

very few officers who leave for another department. I think we will see

the benefits of our hiring strategy starting next year.”

McDermott said Newport Beach plans to hire two more officers during the

next fiscal year for a school resource program. He added there are many

benefits to having a force steeped in experience.

“When I started, guys on patrol had four to five years’ experience. ...

now they have between 15 and 20,” he said. “Having more experience helps

in solving cases and we have less complaints from the public.”