City accelerates police recruitment

A lack of police department candidates has spurred the city to sponsor recruits who are still in school, City Manager Ken Frank announced Dec. 8.

“For the first time in about 15 years, we will be sponsoring several individuals who are currently attending the Police Academy at the community college level,” Frank said.

The recruits will be hired during the last months of their education. When they graduate in June, the recruits will have the opportunity to become full-time patrol officers. The recruits will have already completed some on-the-job training by working with the department during the time they are attending classes.

“This procedure is common in many other cities — particularly large jurisdictions,” Frank said, adding, “We have not had to sponsor recruits for quite a while, but the current recruiting situation makes this necessary.”