Several candidates for police officer jobs in Janesville, Wis., recently underwent lengthy background checks.
About 175 applicants applied to compete for three open positions with the city’s police department. According to an article by the Janesville Gazette, Deputy Police Chief David Moore said the best candidates for the three positions underwent a 40-hour background check investigation.
To begin the process, candidates had to complete a written test that checked math, writing and reading comprehension skills. Candidates then had to pass a physical agility test, which checked for running and jumping skills. These two tests eliminated half of the original applicant pool.
The top 30 of the remaining candidates were offered initial interviews, and the best of those candidates agreed to a background check. As part of the background check, department investigators interviewed candidates’ relatives, friends, employers, co-workers, neighbors, landlords and former teachers or professors. Credit checks and criminal background checks also were run on each applicant.
“We want people who will work hard, be honest, with high integrity,” Sgt. Rick Larson said in the article. “We try and find the best person that we can that will fit in with the Janesville Police Department.”
When it comes to potential officers, investigators want to know about a candidate’s work ethic, honesty and behavior. They also want to be informed of any anger issues, aggressiveness and gender or racial biases. The department also researches potential employees’ drug and alcohol use. Minor arrests, such as old traffic violations or underage drinking tickets, don’t always disqualify a candidate.
If a candidate passes the department’s background check, they then have an interview with the police chief and police and fire commissions. Any job offer is conditional on a psychological and medical evaluation, and any new hires remain on probation for 18 months. Most new officers are paid $35,000 per year.
Tags: background checks