Policing is a very tough job and something that everyone cannot do or are cut out to perform. I remember when I was deciding what to do in life, I took the test for both the fire and police department. Back in those days after you took the tests sometimes you had to wait several months to get on the job. Many people got tired of waiting and got another job somewhere else because you could only wait so long without income coming in to support yourself. I still had my job at Allis Chalmers so I could afford to wait for a while. I scored and passed on both tests, so I was on both lists. At that time, I was saying to myself I am going to take whatever job that calls me first. I really wanted to be a police officer more than a firefighter. For some crazy reason I told people I would rather have someone shooting at me instead of being inside a hot fire and worry about being burned up. Crazy right?
Currently many police departments are down in staffing and having a tough time getting people to apply for the job. For example, Wauwatosa PD last week was offering a $7500 bonus for new officers. In addition, the city of Wauwatosa also was offering $1500 to any city employee who referred someone who became an officer. The chief said this led to numerous people applying for the openings that they currently have.
The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) just graduated a 26-person class. The city has budgeted enough for 195 new officers this year. It will be a challenge to fill those positions. The department is looking at community outreach to help with their recruitment efforts. They want people to see officers as being one of them. This past weekend they had an initiative called Cops and Kids. Officers went ice skating with the community kids downtown. MPD Inspector Shannon Seymer-Tabaska stated “Just bring police and community together, allow the community to see officers beyond the uniform, that we too are human.” She added “that’s really what we’re out there trying to do is bring members on that have that heart to work in policing and to be part of the solution, and also to be engaged with their communities that they live in.”
The Fire and Police Commission said qualified individuals should apply online. Candidates need to be at least 20 years old at the time they apply, and 21 years old once appointed. Applications are being accepted through March 18. MPD is also hosting an open house Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Milwaukee Police Academy located at 6680 N. Teutonia Ave.
I did this job for 30 years and it can be great and for filling if you apply yourself. We need good officers so think about applying.
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