SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
The Reno Police Department has announced it is accepting applications for the position of Police Recruit.
According to RPD Recruiting Officer Carlos Valles, “We are seeking to fill job vacancies left by several retirements and promotions.”
The Reno Police Department consists of 346 sworn officers and serves a population of approximately 212,000 residents. Due to the recent economic strains, the department experienced many unexpected retirements, resulting in several positions left unattended. As a result, the department was forced to transfer many to assist with the needs of the patrol division, and hire more on overtime to fill in where needed.
Officer Valles says, “The department is working with a minimum amount of officers right now. We are handling the issues facing the city now, but the addition of more officers would help not only the department but the community as a whole.”
This past August, the Reno Police Department accepted applications from people who possessed a P.O.S.T. Category 1 certificate, to establish a lateral applicant list. Although the turn out was good, there were fewer applicants than expected. Officer Valles says the biggest obstacle and concern expressed by out of state applicants was the cost to travel to Reno for the test. “I think many applicants, although interested in transferring to Reno, were concerned about the cost to travel here and the expenses needed to stay here in order to perform the tests. After reviewing their financial status, many interested applicants realized they were fortunate to have a job in law enforcement and would be better to stay with their respected agencies.”
The reason for establishing a lateral list during the last hiring campaign was for time constraints. Officer Valles explains a lateral academy runs 6 weeks in length instead of the traditional 20 week recruit academy. The results are lateral recruits are able to get through the academy faster and begin serving their community by patrolling the streets in a shorter amount of time.
This current recruiting campaign is open to all persons interested in a career in law enforcement, experienced or not. It will benefit both the community and the Reno Police Department. It will allow many interested and well qualified local applicants the opportunity to apply and help the Reno Police Department establish a list of qualified applicants from which to pull from.
The Reno Police Department requires these minimum standards be met by all interested applicants:
- Must be a U.S. citizen by January 28, 2013.
- 21 years of age by the application deadline, January 27, 2012.
- Must a high school diploma or GED certificate by application deadline, January 27, 2012.
Those who are accepted will become paid City of Reno employees while attending the 20 recruit academy, as well as receive benefits after the first 30 days of employment. The recruits will be provided with the majority of the equipment needed, including uniforms, firearms, duty gear and vest. With only a few items needed to be purchased by the recruit, Officer Valles says it really is a great opportunity.
“A lot of people are curious about law enforcement and whether it is the right career choice for them. That’s something that can only be determined by the applicant. For those who decide it’s just not suited for them, we understand and have the highest amount of respect for that individual, because the truth is this career is not suited for everybody. However, for those who are accepted to the academy, they will become a permanent part of the community as well as its future.”
The Reno Police Department will be accepting applications from November 21, 2011 through January 27, 2012, with the testing to occur April 9-13, 2012.
Officer Valles encourages all those interested in applying with the Reno Police Department to visit the City of Reno’s website at www.Reno.gov/jobs for further information, or to e-mail him directly at [email protected], or call at (775) 334-2455.
