Police Chief Explains How To Become A Police Officer

Summary

Join Sergeant Olson for an inside look at the Hampton Police Division's recruitment process. Discover the roles of the personnel recruiting office, including administrative assistants and background investigators, and learn about the steps to become a police officer. From online application to academy enrollment, understand the timeline, which aims to process applicants within 30-90 days, and the division's commitment to community involvement and efficient hiring.

Takeaways

• 👮‍♂️ The Hampton Police Division is actively recruiting for various positions including police officers, auxiliary police officers, cadets, and non-sworn personnel like 911 dispatchers and office specialists.
• 🏢 The recruitment process starts with an online application through the city of Hampton's webpage.
• 🔍 Background checks involve scrutinizing drug use history, driving records, and references.
• 📝 Applicants undergo a written test and an information session to understand the job and recruitment process.
• 🏫 The new Academy and recruiting center is a large facility with ample space for training and community involvement.
• 🗓️ Out-of-state applicants are accommodated with a more extended schedule to complete the recruitment process in fewer visits.
• 🤝 The hiring process aims to be quick, with an average timeline of 30 to 90 days from application to potential employment.
• 👨‍💼 The final interview with the chief is more of a personal touch to understand the applicant's character and suitability for the role.
• 🏥 Medical, psychological, and polygraph tests are part of the second appointment in the recruitment process.
• 📆 Applicants are expected to give a two-week notice to their current employer upon acceptance of a position at the Hampton Police Division.
• 🔄 The police division is flexible and works closely with various services to ensure a smooth recruitment process.

Q & A

What is the role of Sergeant Olson in the Hampton Police Division?

Sergeant Olson is the personnel recruiting coordinator for the Hampton Police Division's personnel recruiting office.

Who is Shauna Smith and what is her function in the recruiting process?

Shauna Smith is the administrative assistant who answers calls and provides information to those interested in employment with the Hampton Police Division.

What are the different types of positions available at the Hampton Police Division?

The Hampton Police Division is looking for police officers, auxiliary police officers, cadets, and non-sworn personnel such as 911 dispatchers and office specialists.

What is the first step for someone interested in becoming a police officer at the Hampton Police Division?

The first step is to visit the city of Hampton's webpage and look at the job opportunities available there.

What happens after an application is submitted online?

After an application is submitted, the background questionnaire is reviewed for any red flags, such as drug use or driving history.

What is the purpose of the information assembly session mentioned in the script?

The information assembly session is where applicants are informed about what the job entails, what is expected of them, and what the process is like.

What facilities are available at the new Academy and recruiting center?

The new Academy and recruiting center has a large space with ample parking, training facilities, and classrooms.

How does the Hampton Police Division accommodate out-of-town applicants?

Out-of-town applicants are given a day to settle in and are scheduled for a three-day process that includes the oral board, background interview, polygraph, and psychological examination.

How many recruiting events does the Hampton Police Division attend in a year?

The Hampton Police Division aims to attend about 25 recruiting events a year but often participates in between 30 to 40.

What is the timeline for processing an applicant from application to hiring?

On average, it takes between 30 to 90 days to process an applicant, from application to hiring.

How soon after the selection process can an applicant start working at the Hampton Police Division?

An applicant can start working as soon as one to two weeks after completing the selection process, depending on their ability to give appropriate notice to their current employer.