Departmental Issues

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Chapter 12

• Departmental Issues

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• In most police agencies 80 to 90 percent of the
  budget is allocated for personnel
• The formal application is the first step in the
  hiring process.
• Requirements to becoming a police officer are be
  a US citizen, have a valid drivers license, not
  have been convicted of a felony.

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• There is usually a residency requirement
• There may be a written examination to determine
  basic skills, grammar, mathematical ability,
  reasoning ability.
• The oral interview is used to measure
  personality, alertness, communication ability,
  social adaptability, judgment, emotional
  stability, and interest in and suitability for
  the job.

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• The oral interview last about 30 minutes.
• Physical fitness tests evaluate a candidates
  coordination, speed and strength, The most common
  physical fitness test are similar to military
  obstacle courses that must be completed in a
  designated time.
• 89 of police departments require physical
  fitness testing of applicants

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• The probationary period is a trial period,
  usually one year, during which time the officer
  is observed while obtaining training and applying
  training on the street.
• Police labor unions have long played an active
  role in the law enforcement community.
• A union, in the broadest context, is any group
  authorized to represent the members of the law
  enforcement agency in negotiating such matters as
  wages, fringe benefits and other conditions of
  employment

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• A union shop is an agency where people must
  belong to be hired
• Line officers usually favor unionization as it
  gives them collective bargaining power with the
  administration