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DPS faces recruiting woes
THELMA GRIMES
News-Sun
With nearly a quarter of the current force eligible for immediate retirement, Paul Etnire, recruiting officer for Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), said the department is looking to fill more than 100 positions.
Etnire said Arizona law enforcement allows retirement after 20 years of service and DPS is struggling with one-fourth of its officers eligible for retirement.
"We have to increase recruitment," Etnire said. "These officers are going to leave and take with them years of expertise, knowledge and wisdom."
One of those retiring is Benson's Sgt. Steve Harris. Harris' retirement became official today after 32 years on the job.
"I've gotten a lot of self satisfaction and job satisfaction," Harris said. "I enjoy doing what I do, but 32 years in law enforcement is enough. I've enjoyed my career, but it's time to move on to life after DPS."
Last year, Etnire said, DPS lost 70 officers to retirement and 38 so far this year, noting it says something about the profession when "so many people stay so long."
Statewide, Etnire said, DPS is preparing to hire more than 100 officers and to do so will look outside of Phoenix. Traditionally, DPS recruiting has taken place in Phoenix only, but with a shortage of officers, it will be recruiting statewide.
Testing will take place in Sierra Vista on July 13 and 14 and then recruiting will continue to Kingman, Flagstaff, Yuma and Tucson.
With plans to hire 20 officers every other month, Etnire said it could take three or four years to "catch up." By recruiting 120 new recruits this year, Etnire said they would still be 50 to 70 officers short. There are about 1,100 DPS officers statewide.
Why has it become difficult to recruit officers?
"In the past, law enforcement, teaching and the clergy were considered honored professions," Etnire said. "Now, a lot of people see you are in a hostile climate. The pay is good, but people look at what can you give me right now."
Only one in 25 applicants make it through the recruitment process, which begins with a 100-question written exam. Following the exam, possible recruits have to survive face-to-face interviews, fitness and endurance tests and a background check.
Is it worth it if you are the lucky one to make the cut? First-year patrolwoman Crystal Frei said "absolutely."
Frei, a patrolwoman based in Willcox, said she loves her job and does recommend it, especially to those who don't know what they want to do.
"I didn't know what I wanted to do after high school and I didn't care for college," said Frei, 24, and of Pearce.
"For this job, I was prepared. I knew what I was getting into. I knew I would have to deal with serious accidents where people can die and I was prepared. I love my job and I highly recommend it."
Etnire said DPS is looking for people with "diverse backgrounds."
"We want people with different skills," Etnire said. "We want to recruit journalists because they have a writing ability and an ability to communicate with the public. We want an English major because they can deal with the media."
One tough reality to recruiting is the status of the local and national economy, Etnire said. When the economy is strong, Etnire said there are plenty of jobs, but when it is weak and there is a lack of jobs, recruiting is easier.
For more information on becoming a part of the Department of Public Safety family contact human resources at (602) 223-2290.
DPS isn't the only agency needing more officers. For several years, the Benson Police Department has had problems retaining officers. Chief Glenn Nichols said he is down two officers.
Nichols said he is budgeted for 14 officers, but only has 12, noting, "it's hard to compete," with other law enforcement agencies.
News-Sun
With nearly a quarter of the current force eligible for immediate retirement, Paul Etnire, recruiting officer for Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), said the department is looking to fill more than 100 positions.
Etnire said Arizona law enforcement allows retirement after 20 years of service and DPS is struggling with one-fourth of its officers eligible for retirement.
"We have to increase recruitment," Etnire said. "These officers are going to leave and take with them years of expertise, knowledge and wisdom."
One of those retiring is Benson's Sgt. Steve Harris. Harris' retirement became official today after 32 years on the job.
"I've gotten a lot of self satisfaction and job satisfaction," Harris said. "I enjoy doing what I do, but 32 years in law enforcement is enough. I've enjoyed my career, but it's time to move on to life after DPS."
Last year, Etnire said, DPS lost 70 officers to retirement and 38 so far this year, noting it says something about the profession when "so many people stay so long."
Statewide, Etnire said, DPS is preparing to hire more than 100 officers and to do so will look outside of Phoenix. Traditionally, DPS recruiting has taken place in Phoenix only, but with a shortage of officers, it will be recruiting statewide.
Testing will take place in Sierra Vista on July 13 and 14 and then recruiting will continue to Kingman, Flagstaff, Yuma and Tucson.
With plans to hire 20 officers every other month, Etnire said it could take three or four years to "catch up." By recruiting 120 new recruits this year, Etnire said they would still be 50 to 70 officers short. There are about 1,100 DPS officers statewide.
Why has it become difficult to recruit officers?
"In the past, law enforcement, teaching and the clergy were considered honored professions," Etnire said. "Now, a lot of people see you are in a hostile climate. The pay is good, but people look at what can you give me right now."
Only one in 25 applicants make it through the recruitment process, which begins with a 100-question written exam. Following the exam, possible recruits have to survive face-to-face interviews, fitness and endurance tests and a background check.
Is it worth it if you are the lucky one to make the cut? First-year patrolwoman Crystal Frei said "absolutely."
Frei, a patrolwoman based in Willcox, said she loves her job and does recommend it, especially to those who don't know what they want to do.
"I didn't know what I wanted to do after high school and I didn't care for college," said Frei, 24, and of Pearce.
"For this job, I was prepared. I knew what I was getting into. I knew I would have to deal with serious accidents where people can die and I was prepared. I love my job and I highly recommend it."
Etnire said DPS is looking for people with "diverse backgrounds."
"We want people with different skills," Etnire said. "We want to recruit journalists because they have a writing ability and an ability to communicate with the public. We want an English major because they can deal with the media."
One tough reality to recruiting is the status of the local and national economy, Etnire said. When the economy is strong, Etnire said there are plenty of jobs, but when it is weak and there is a lack of jobs, recruiting is easier.
For more information on becoming a part of the Department of Public Safety family contact human resources at (602) 223-2290.
DPS isn't the only agency needing more officers. For several years, the Benson Police Department has had problems retaining officers. Chief Glenn Nichols said he is down two officers.
Nichols said he is budgeted for 14 officers, but only has 12, noting, "it's hard to compete," with other law enforcement agencies.
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