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DPS to hire 45 new cops
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Posted on Feb 26 1999
A recruitment blitz for police officers will start next month as the Department of Public Safety gets federal funding to boost its present line-up.
In a press conference held yesterday, DPS Commissioner Charles Ingram told reporters that his office will hire 25 policemen for Saipan; 10 for Tinian; 10 for Rota, or a total of 45 new cops.
Over $1.017 million federal funding from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) was identified for DPS. This particular grant is under the Universal Hiring Program of the U.S. government.
The Commissioner said the hiring of the 45 new policemen will certainly help its present manpower but federal provisions limit their deployment mainly on patrol activities.
“I cannot use these officers for correction or for criminal investigation,” he said.
Public announcement for these vacancies will be out starting next week and hiring will begin after 15 days.
Pre-employment requirements state that police cadet candidates must be 17 years or older and should be a high school graduate or GED graduate. Applicants should also meet with its academic pre-employment requirements.
The agility and polygraph examinations will also be introduced this year.
According to Ingram, some of strengths considered are intelligence, fair, firm, multi-lingual and college educated if possible.
As a cadet officer, the entry salary level is $13,000 each year. But after completing the Academy Cycle, Police Officer I should expect $16,625 a year.
“Dedication” and “commitment” are the buzz words in getting these young candidates pursue a career with DPS, “$13,000 is not in the poverty level. But it is an entry level and it increases as you go up,” Ingram said.
This federal grant is good for four years. In the first year, 100 percent of their salaries will be funded by the Federal government. Thereafter, local matching is required, until the CNMI government assumes the responsibility after the four-year period.
