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Second, there is the
short-term detrimental impact of the recent spate of
well-publicized violent clashes between police officers and
unarmed young black males in Missouri, New York and Ohio.
“We are trying to reach
out to the community,” said Hatch during a recent chat with
The Truth. “Women and minority numbers are falling short in
the department and the old ways [of reaching out] are not
working.”
The department has started
using social media to get its message out, police officers
have traveled the state to speak with college students and
area churches can expect to get a call as well.
“The world is changing and
we’re trying to change with it,” said Hatch, a 13-year
veteran on the force. Holmes, a nine-year veteran, was
recently at Central State – Ohio’s only historically black
university – and as a result, two students from there will
be taking the entrance exam in February.
One of the biggest
obstacles to bringing in qualified individuals, said Holmes,
is the misconception about the education background needed
to qualify. A high school degree or GED is the minimum
educational requirement. After passing the exam, one gets
paid to train to be an officer. “It’s a win/win situation,”
said Hatch.
“The African American
Police League decided several months ago to try to boost
minority recruitment,” said Sgt. Anita Madison. “We’re
trying to identify through word of mouth, through other
officers, qualified minority candidates.”
The AAPL partners with
Toledo Public Schools “to go into high schools to talk with
young people who might be interested,” said Madison, while
noting that such an effort was geared to building long-term
success in the League’s recruitment efforts. Unlike the fire
department which can recruit 18 year-olds, TPD cannot start
testing candidates until they are 20 years old.
The AAPL also has started
offering training sessions for prospective candidates who
want to prepare for the exam, who need to know how to apply
and who need to pick up interviewing tips. The training
sessions started this month and will be ongoing in the
future.
The AAPL has also decided
to try to formalize a mentorship program in order to
increase recruits chances for success not only in the
application process but also in managing a police career.
The primary challenge,
said Madison, echoing the sentiment expressed by Holmes and
Hatch, is changing hearts and minds.
“We have to get out there
and interact and get young people to see us in a positive
light,” she said.
The next written exam for
the police department is February 8. In order to apply,
candidates must go online to
www.toledopolice.com and sign in at the top right of the
menu bar.
Candidates must have a
high school diploma or the equivalent, be 20 years of age
and no older than 34 on or before February 28, be eligible
to work in the United States and possess a valid driver’s
license upon appointment.
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