OFFICER SEARCH POLICE SEEKING ARMENIAN RECRUITS.Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer GLENDALE Glendale. 1 City (1990 pop. 148,134), Maricopa co., S central Ariz., adjacent to Phoenix; inc. 1910. It is located in a rich agricultural region irrigated by the Salt River project. Glendale has become one of the fastest-growing U.S. - The city has the largest Armenian population outside of Armenia itself, but Glendale's police are struggling to add Armenians to their ranks to better reflect the community's makeup makeup In the performing arts, material used by actors for cosmetic purposes and to help create the characters they play. Not needed in Greek and Roman theatre because of the use of masks, makeup was used in the religious plays of medieval Europe, in which the angels' faces . The search recently led officials to Jackpot, Nev., where not only did they find and hire an Armenian records clerk, but they're also considering hiring her husband as a mechanic helper at the department's garage. And the couple's two children are now cadets. ``We have a heightened sensitivity in not only hiring but recruiting potential Armenian employees, so when a golden opportunity like this presented itself, we jumped all over it,'' said Lt. Bruce Bruce, Scottish royal family descended from an 11th-century Norman duke, Robert de Brus. He aided William I in his conquest of England (1066) and was given lands in England. Fox of the department's professional standards bureau. ``To get the department to be representative of the community is a pretty large task, but we're going to keep heading toward that goal.'' About 35 percent of Glendale's population of 200,000 is estimated to be of Armenian descent descent, in anthropology, method of classifying individuals in terms of their various kinship connections. Matrilineal and patrilineal descent refer to the mother's or father's sib (or other group), respectively. . But just 5 percent - or 13 - of the department's 257 sworn officers are Armenian. Officials - also struggling with hiring amid a general nationwide shortage of qualified officers - said the department has scant scant adj. scant·er, scant·est 1. Barely sufficient: paid scant attention to the lecture. 2. Falling short of a specific measure: a scant cup of sugar. applications from Armenians, stemming mainly from a negative cultural perception of the profession: It's dangerous and it doesn't pay well. In an effort to dispel such perceptions, the Police Department has begun actively reaching out to the Armenian community and local youth organizations. Starting June 26, officers will set up recruitment booths once a month at Sidewalk A Microsoft service that was launched in 1997 to provide online arts and entertainment guides on the Web for major cities worldwide. In 1999, Microsoft sold Sidewalk to Ticketmaster, which continued to provide guides, ticketing and other information to the MSN network. Cafe on Glenoaks Boulevard, with officers and information to engage youths and teach them about law enforcement careers. ``I just want to convey to the youth that this is a respectable career that a family can be proud of - that a career in law enforcement means good pay, a three-day workweek and good benefits,'' said Sgt. Scott Johnstone, supervisor in charge of recruitments and backgrounds. ``We have to break the barrier right now where police and fire careers are last on the list of professions for these kids. It's a fantastic career and something to be proud of.'' Glendale police will emphasize financial security, including benefits and retirement plans. The Glendale Police Department offers a starting salary between $4,881 and $6,376 a month. 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. Burbank - which has three Armenian officers out of 159 sworn personnel - said its focus is overall hiring for its leanly staffed department. An estimated 8 percent of Burbank's 100,000 population is of Armenian descent. ``At this point, we're low on officers and we're looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. the best candidates,'' said Officer Vee Jones of the Burbank Police Department The Burbank Police Department is the police department serving Burbank, California. Tim Stehr became the Police Chief of the department on August 1, 2007. The previous chiefs were Thomas Hoefel, David Newsham and Glen Bell. . ``Obviously, we do want the department to reflect the community, and we make every effort to do that, but now we're just targeting qualified candidates.'' Detective Petros Kmbikyan, 28, who was born in Armenia and moved to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. when he was 13, said his parents had reservations about his career choice, but they eventually understood. ``It's going to be a hard process to recruit Armenians, but also a rewarding one at the end if they find qualified applicants,'' Kmbikyan said. ``There are a lot of Armenians in Glendale so it makes it easier to interact with them and there's an understanding of the community and the culture.'' Officer David Lerian, 39, has been with the Glendale Police Department for nearly seven years and frequently is called upon by other officers to translate. ``They're always needing translators This is primarily a list of notable Western translators. Please feel free to add translators from other languages, cultures and areas of specialization. Large sublists have been split off to separate articles. and there aren't always Armenian officers available, so it would benefit the department,'' he said. And members of the Armenian community are convinced that changes are on the horizon. ``The first 10 will be very difficult but after that you'll get this huge rush because the community will feel comfortable with the idea,'' said Michael Issakhanian, owner of Sidewalk Cafe. ``It's just a matter of time that they see law enforcement as an acceptable career.'' Naush Boghossian, (818) 546-3306 naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Detective Petros Kmbikyan, 28, left, and Officer David Lerian, 39, of the Glendale Police Department, with Cadet Officer Cadet Officer is a rank within the St. John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland (SJAB). The rank is between Cadet Leader and Cadet Superintendent. Despite the title, it is held by an adult who is in command of cadets, and not by a cadet. Artin Shahverdian. Just 5 percent of the department's 257 sworn officers are Armenian. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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