Phoenix police department turning to the midwest to help fill department ranks
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TOLEDO, OH -- Pheonix police are looking for a few good men and women to join their ranks. And they're recruiting in Toledo, the department said.
With Toledo's shrinking population and strugging economy, about 40-percent of voters were against the 3/4-percent income tax that funds the police department. But in Phoenix, Arizona, the city is growing so quickly their police department is coming here to fill their ranks.
"The quality of candidates out here is fantastic," said Larry Horton, Phoenix police department. "This is a goldmine for people like us. We're having a lot of people out there. There is an abundance of people here looking for jobs. It's a perfect marriage."
In fact, the idea that Toledo won't even have a police class this year seems strange to Phoenix officers.
"The citizens of the city voted to have 500 new police officers before 2010. And they said they are more than willing to pay more taxes so that we can protect them," Horton said.
So Phoenix is recruiting potential officers at the University of Toledo, where hundreds are signing up.
The qualifications are simple. Horton said applicants should have a decent background.
"We're not lookig for angels, but we are looking for people in good physical shape, and intelligent enough to pass the written exam nd go through the interview process," he said.
Testing continues on Saturday UT's Health and Human Services Building. The first test starts at 6:30 a.m. The second begins at 10:30 a.m.. A nd the third starts at 2:30 in the afternoon
"The beautiful thing is, we're not having any of these guys compete against each other. We're hiring 30-to-60 people every single month. So anybody who is qualified at the end of the hiring process is going to have a job waiting for them," Horton added
Applicants should have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, and have to be at least 21-years old. There is no maximum age requirement. In fact, NBC24 found out that the Phoenix police academy recently graduated a 57-year old officer.
