Posts Tagged ‘recruitment’

Apr 1322

Top Disqualifiers for Police Recruits

Applying for jobs in law enforcement can be exciting, challenging, and a little bit nerve racking. To reduce the anxiety level, we wanted to share a few tips from recruiters on what not to do during your law enforcement recruitment and testing process.

  • leesburgCadets2Don’t send an incomplete application packet. Your application is the first thing recruiters will see, and you want to leave a good impression. Take the time to make sure that you have proofread your submission, completed each part, and included all supplemental materials.
  •  Never lie on your application. Recruiters carefully read and verify all of the information you provide. Omitting information or giving false information will be found out.
  • Don’t try to hide drug use. Drug testing is an important part of the recruitment and testing process, and a point at which many candidates are eliminated. Learn the drug and alcohol policies of the agency you apply to.
  • Couch potatoes beware. Physical fitness tests are intense and require preparation. Find out from your recruiter what physical tasks you will be expected to complete, and then run those laps, practice those pull ups, and make sure you’re in shape on test day!
  • Don’t show up on interview day in jeans. Recruiters are looking for professionals, and your hair and attire should reflect that image. Show up with a nice haircut and a suit.
  • “Um…no” is not the correct answer. You will often be asked in interviews if you have any questions about the job or the department. Come prepared with thoughtful questions to ask. It shows that you are interested and have done your research.

The running theme of all of these tips is to do your research. Talk to your recruiter. Learn what is expected, and be prepared to meet or exceed the standard requirements.

Recruiters, do you have other tips for applicants? If so, leave them in the comments box.

Jul 1223

Shave That Beard. Cover That Tat. Grooming Standards in Law Enforcement

A job in law enforcement is one that involves daily interaction with the public and outside communities, which is why it is important to most agencies to maintain policies and regulations regarding grooming standards for their officers. Many law enforcement agencies believe that having strict grooming standards for officers ensures safety, uniformity, and discipline. These standards also have an effect on public perceptions of the police.

Here are some sample grooming standards from various departments:

  • Tattoos should not be visible while wearing uniform.
  • Visible tattoos should not have a racist, sexist, obscene, or other socially or professionally unacceptable connotation
  • Hair is to be neatly groomed, and should not interfere with normal safety/departmental head gear. Female officers should style their hair so that it does not hang beyond their uniform shirt collar. Facial hair:  Mustaches must be trimmed with no hair extending down over the upper lip or extending past either side of the mouth. Uniformed patrol officers are not permitted to have beards.
  • Jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, chains and any body piercing that is exposed or may interfere with the officer’s duty are prohibited.
  •  No heavy makeup. If makeup is worn, it should appear to be as natural as possible.
  • Use of tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, is prohibited unless they are used in a   designated smoking area and only when officers are not conducting police business.  Officers are also not permitted to use tobacco products in a vehicle owned or maintained by the agency.

A 2003 study on Public Perceptions of Police Grooming Standards published in Police Chief Magazine showed that relaxed standards for grooming would decrease the public’s overall confidence in the police to the extent that respect, trust, and pride would decline.

However, many departments – but not all – will relax their standards for officers citing religious reasons.  Metropolitan Police Department in D.C. changed its uniform policy in May to allow Sikh officers to wear turbans and full beards on duty.  In contrast, NYPD was harshly criticized recently for firing a new recruit, a Hasidic Jew, after he refused to trim his beard.

Police officers are among the most highly visible representatives of government.  As such, professional appearance is extremely important.  Be aware of the grooming standards of your perspective department and be sure you can meet them prior to applying. 

 

Mar 1121

Seasonal Police Officer Jobs

Are you a college student looking for a summer job that offers a great work experience, a living wage, AND the opportunity for future full time employment?  Consider becoming a seasonal police officer.  Dozens of agencies – mostly in coastal resort communities – hire seasonal (sometimes called special) patrol officers for the summer months.  These part-time police officers augment the full-time permanent force during times when the local population swells with incoming tourists. 

Special Law Enforcement Officers with North Wildwood PD

Source: North Wildwood Police Department

Municipalities differ greatly on how much authority seasonal officers are given, the type of equipment they’re issued, and the training required.  Some are armed with batons or pepper spray, while others may have firearms.  Often special uniforms and badges are issued.  Depending on the position classification, most agencies will provide you with the necessary training, while others may require graduation from the state academy or other formal training.  In New Jersey, the training you receive for seasonal employment counts toward that required for full time employment, which saves you time and the agency money.  Typical responsibilities of special officers can range from monitoring parking violations and traffic to beach/boardwalk patrol.  Some agencies use their seasonal officers year-round for special events where additional staff is needed.  

If you’re not ready to be an officer but are interested in learning more about the inner workings of a police department, some agencies offer other seasonal positions including code enforcement, records clerks, or communications officers. 

Here’s a sampling of agencies that are hiring.  If you know of others, leave us a comment and let us know, or better yet tell them to post ‘em to the Discover Policing job board. 

North Wildwood Police Department, New Jersey 

Hull Police Department, Massachusetts 

Avalon Police Department, New Jersey 

Middletown Police Department, Delaware 

Lewes Police Department, Delaware 

City of Tybee Island, Georgia 

Hampton Police Department, New Hampshire 

Town of Orleans, Massachusetts 

Town of Wells, Maine 

Iowa Department of Natural Resources