Chief: Deadline to submit PD job applications nears

NEW HAVEN — Interim Chief Renee Dominguez Monday urged those interested in becoming city police officers to submit their applications, noting the department will be closing its current recruitment drive on Friday.

Dominguez said that the department had received 396 applications as of Monday afternoon, but was hoping to reach 500 before the effort concludes.

There’s often a surge of applications submitted late in the process, she noted, as people gather paperwork or rise to meet the oncoming deadline.

“We urge everyone who’s thinking about it — just get that application in. Once the deadline closes on the 22nd, there’s nothing we can do — you have to wait until the next application process,” said Dominguez. “All your questions can be answered, but we can do nothing if we don’t have your application.”

As the recruitment effort was launched in September, Dominguez said that the department had 319 officers on staff, but was budgeted for 406 positions.

“We have so many vacancies that we need to fill. We want to fill them with New Haven residents; we want to fill them with the people who want to serve their community,” she said at the time. “One of the best jobs in the world is being a police officer.”

Those interested in applying can do so by visiting the department or through PoliceApp.com.