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Issue: October 21, 2001


Police, Deputies, Firefighters: New Recruits Needed on the Home Front

by Julia Hollister

At a time when the nation is on heightened alert and public safety is foremost in the minds of all Americans, law enforcement is recruiting 'round the clock.

Illustrating the personnel shortage in the public safety sector is a huge billboard along Highway 580, west of Tracy, reading: "WANTED: DEPUTIES."

Lt. Byron Kelso, personnel training manager at the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, says even prior to the events of Sept 11, the department was seeing a shortage of deputies, largely due to changes in the statewide retirement system that became effective Sept 1.

"Simply put, officers could retire at 50 with the same benefits they would have received at 62," he explains. "That has accelerated retirement throughout the state. We are looking at 56 retirements since Sept 1 in our department."

First Hires in a Decade

It's a new phenomenon for the department, which hasn't hired a deputy sheriff in 10 years, according to Kelso. Now the sheriff's office is looking to hire entry-level trainees and those seeking lateral moves from other departments, who aren't quite ready to retire. In addition, the department is sending recruiters to peace officer academies throughout the state, offering $3000 signing bonuses to graduates.

"We also look for officers in Los Angeles-type environments who want an easier lifestyle," Kelso remarks. "We tend to entice those who go from call to call everyday and want to go into a slower, rural environment such as ours."

Law enforcement recruits must successfully complete six months training at POST

(Peace Officer Standards and Training) academies and pass background checks before being hired. Northern California academy locations include Modesto, Sacramento, Marysville and Oroville.

"While they are in the academy, we pay them a salary," Kelso notes. "Starting pay for a deputy sheriff trainee in San Joaquin County ranges from $3000 a month to $4500 monthly plus incentive pay."

To better compete with the private sector, public agencies are upping salaries.

One of the more generous employers is the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department. With a workforce of 1420 sworn officers and a budget of $119 million, Santa Clara County offers a monthly wage of $4305 to $5687 for entry-level deputy sheriffs and higher pay for a lateral move with POST academy training. The department serves the communities of Cupertino, Los Altos Hills, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of the county.

The POST website (post.ca.gov) lists plenty of other job opportunities statewide - from a deputy sheriff position in Amador County to patrol officer openings in Berkeley.

In the CHiP's

The California Highway Patrol is also vying for applicants, although its age requirements of 20 to 35 years are more restrictive than most agencies.

A high school diploma or GED is required, while a college degree is highly desirable. Also, additional course work or advanced skills in the following areas are welcome: English, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and composition; reading and comprehension; mathematics (used for traffic accident calculations); typing and computer skills (many officers use computers for reports, and most patrol vehicles currently have or will have computers); foreign languages; physical fitness; and social sciences such as sociology and psychology.

Salaries start at $3692 per month, which cadets earn while attending the CHP Academy in Sacramento.

But weighing a position based on the wage may be taking the short view. "Public safety retirement packages and benefits are better than in the private sector," declares Kelly Huston, spokesman for the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department. "Because the economy is moving toward recession, more people are looking toward stable government work. When jobs are plentiful they turn to higher paying positions." Compounding his department's staffing shortage is the call-up of six California National Guard members. Stanislaus County is actively recruiting for a broad range of assignments, including the air squadron, bomb squad, a dive team that works water rescues, an investigative detail, general municipal policing, as well as a rural crime task force.

Huston emphasizes a basic requirement that all the specialties have in common. "We are looking for employees who want to be a sheriff's deputy and who want to invest in a career rather than just having a job."

Background Checks

Deputy Beth Moore of the Stanislaus Sheriff's Department cautions that intensive background checks weed out a lot of applicants. "We check with family, friends, past schooling, neighbors, military service and more, so it's kind of a waiting game for [applicants]," she says. "Many try to hide a lot, but we always find out."

Moore, who went from rodeo queen representing the sheriff's department to deputy sheriff, says the job, which pays $3553 a month to start, offers more than monetary rewards. "It's a great career and I couldn't think of doing anything else. I love getting up and coming to work in spite of the stress."

The Lure of Hook and Ladder

Due in part to the heroism of the New York City Fire Department at the World Trade Center tragedy, Oakland's deputy fire chief says interest in firefighting careers has picked up.

"We are doing continuous testing for entry-level firefighter," reports Deputy Chief Ernest Robinson. "A number of firefighters are retiring and, in addition, we lose 10-15 annually to attrition."

The City of Oakland handles the applications. Candidates must be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license and be a certified EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). Written, oral and physical agility exams follow. Starting salary with the fire department ranges from $50,000 to $55,000 annually.

The money may seem small in light of the danger now facing those in the public safety arena. "I was never concerned about terrorists and now its here in our face," Robinson says sadly. "And that's the thing the next generation of firefighters will have to be concerned about."

But would the Deputy Chief want another career? "Absolutely not," he laughs. "I have never regretted one day of choosing the fire department."


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