CITY BEHIND IN POLICE HIRING COUNCIL-APPROVED ACQUISITION OF NEW OFFICERS HAMPERED BY ATTRITION.Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer The Police Department has yet to hire any additional police officers, despite the City Council giving its approval in May to adding 25 officers this year. The department has reportedly struggled just to keep existing slots filled. Since July, for example, 14 people have left. ``We've hired 38 people since the council gave us this mandate,'' said Lt. Bruce Fox, in charge of Glendale police personnel. ``Unfortunately, we have encountered a higher attrition rate Noun 1. attrition rate - the rate of shrinkage in size or number rate of attrition rate - a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit; "they traveled at a rate of 55 miles per hour"; "the rate of change was faster than expected" than we wish to have experienced, and we're having a difficult time right now finding qualified candidates compatible with the nature of police work.'' Twenty-five officers equals 10 percent of Glendale's existing 244-officer force. Department officials also hope this year to hire 11 civilians, including forensic Belonging to courts of justice. forensic 1) adj. from Latin forensis for "belonging to the forum," ancient Rome's site for public debate, and currently meaning pertaining to the courts. lab technicians, a department psychologist, crime analysts and dispatchers. Two of those positions have already been filled, Fox said. A supervisor, four full-time and nine part-time background investigators have been assigned to hiring tasks as part of the city's ultimate goal to hire 100 police officers and 36 civilians over the next seven years. An additional 100 officers would cost $16.7 million per year. Police Chief Randy Adams argued for the additional officers, saying the department is barely able to keep pace with major crimes. Glendale, the county's third most populous pop·u·lous adj. Containing many people or inhabitants; having a large population. [Middle English, from Latin popul city, has 1.2 officers per 1,000 residents. Neighboring neigh·bor n. 1. One who lives near or next to another. 2. A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another. 3. A fellow human. 4. Used as a form of familiar address. v. cities have nearly 1.6 officers per 1,000 residents. The department has stepped up recruiting, especially among youth-based police programs. ``We're recruiting, so hopefully we see an upturn in applications turned in, but that doesn't automatically guarantee that the people applying are qualified candidates,'' Fox said. Interested applicants must be at least 20 years old; have a high-school diploma DIPLOMA. An instrument of writing, executed by, a corporation or society, certifying that a certain person therein named is entitled to a certain distinction therein mentioned. 2. ; be a citizen or be in the process of becoming a citizen; and possess a driver's license Noun 1. driver's license - a license authorizing the bearer to drive a motor vehicle driver's licence, driving licence, driving license license, permit, licence - a legal document giving official permission to do something . Those interested can call (818) 548-3117 or (818) 548-2110, or visit the police Web site at www.ci.glendale.ca.us/government/police/index.asp. Glendale's efforts to hire more officers come as the Los Angeles Police Department "LAPD" and "L.A.P.D." redirect here. For other uses, see LAPD (disambiguation). The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) is a local law enforcement agency that serves Los Angeles County, California. also have boosted their recruiting. ``It's extremely competitive, especially when they have tremendous advertising resources,'' Fox said. Despite obstacles, the department should have the 25 positions filled in the next six months, he said. Ten to 12 recruits should be available in March from the Police Academy. Naush Boghossian, (818) 546-3306 naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com |
|
||||||||||||

Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion