Becoming a Big Spring Police Officer has many benefits
It's your city, keep it safe. These are the words one will find on the Big Spring Police Department website. During a scholarship presentation presented by Volunteers in Police Service to two Law Enforcement majors at Howard College, Big Spring Police Department Lieutenant Phil Whitten spoke about staffing issues at the police department and what it takes to become a police officer.
Like many businesses locally and across the country, the Big Spring Police Department is suffering staff shortages and is currently hiring for both law enforcement and civilian positions.
The Big Spring Police Department is hiring certified/non certified police officers. Entry level testing is Oct. 10. Application deadline is 5 p.m. Oct. 6.
“The entry level testing includes a written test, it's a timed test and is about an 11th or 12th grade level,” explained Whitten.
There is also an agility test and a which is a 220 run in 42 seconds with a dummy drag that's 35 seconds on an obstacle course that's one minute and 20 seconds long.
Following the agility course, a personal statement is required and then the candidate is set up for an interview. A background check and a polygraph test and a drug screen will follow. “We try to check with everyone we can,” said Whitten and continued, “... so the background check might take a little bit.” Once hired, the new employee will attend the academy in Midland which lasts approximately 5 months.
“The academy is in Midland, but transportation is provided,” said Whitten. “You'll have a vehicle to drive back and forth to the academy every day. You'll be on the payroll, so we're basically paying you to go to the academy.”
Upon completion of the academy, the FTO program follows. “It's kind of a long process, but we want to make sure that anyone who is going to hit the streets is prepared to hit the streets by themselves. That's for the safety of everyone,” Whitten explained.
Once you get a foot in the door, as Whitten continued, beginning pay is about $56,000, “... as you continue your career there is room for advancement and your pay grade will go up.”
“The academy is 100 percent paid for and you can live within an hour from the city,” Whitten continued. “You don't have to live within the city limits, but you have to be within an hour response time and you get to take your vehicle home with you.”
There are many benefits including all uniforms and equipment are provided. Medical insurance is paid for as is vacation and sick leave and there is also a generous discount on gym memberships.
There are several departments to aspire to including: Detective, narcotics, SWAT Team. “Whatever you're interested in, we try to get you channeled towards that,” Whitten explained.
A presentation in honor of longtime VIPS volunteer William Adams was given with members giving a speech. “Adams was one of the first to attend the Citizen's Police Academy and was a volunteer from day one... at the age of 91 I think Bill was the oldest volunteer in Big Spring,” said VIPS volunteer Vivian Gordon. Adams was a veteran and is described as being a dedicated volunteer and greeted all officers, “With a handshake and 'be careful out there.'”
The William Adams memorial scholarships were given in honor of Jonetta Sweatt to Kaegan Baker of Big Spring whose goal is to become a Park Ranger and Damian Rains of Coahoma who is in the process of finishing his degree while working for the county and raising a family.
Following the presentation and speeches, Williams led a tour of the Law Enforcement Center that included the briefing room, a peek into the evidence room, supply rooms and the SWAT vehicle.. Originally located at the 4th Street location, the Troy M. Hogue Law Enforcement Center joined with the Howard County Sheriff's Office and now occupy the facility located at 3611 W. Hwy 80.
For more information call 432-2646051.