Makes Case at Job Fair: NYPD: Size, Variety Matter

Makes Case at Job Fair
NYPD: Size, Variety Matter


NYPD recruiters got a close-up look at their competition at an April 21 law-enforcement job fair held at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

The Chief-Leader/Adrienne Haywood-James SEEKING SOME NEW BLUE: Police Recruiter Patrick Luca said that the NYPD hasn't been worried about losing new recruits to other departments throughout the nation due to the department's low starting salary. 'People seek us out,' he said at the start of last week's job fair at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The local recruiters, however, said they weren't intimidated by the out-out-town agencies, which were touting their increased starting pay and lower cost-of-living as primary reasons why students should consider relocating.

Selling Aura of NYPD

"We are the local guy," asserted NYPD recruiter Patrick Luca. "Nobody has what we have to offer; we are the NYPD."

The other departments at the fair, he noted, are much smaller forces. "We have over 200 different units," he added. "It's a big draw."

Despite that built-in advantage, the NYPD has been struggling to meet its hiring goals. The department is currently more than 1,000 officers short. The other departments were generally looking to fill only a few dozen positions each year. By contrast, the NYPD has hired roughly 3,000 new recruits annually.

Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly has blamed the sharply reduced starting salary of $25,100 for officers during their first six months of training as the primary problem. City negotiators have acknowledged that the pay is an issue, but they have highlighted that departments throughout the nation have also had difficulty attracting qualified candidates.

Left for New Hampshire

"When the economy does well, civil service jobs are not as appealing," said Lawrence Lundt, a recruiter for the New Hampshire State Patrol. Mr. Lundt said he left the NYPD after eight years in 2004. "I'm third-generation NYPD," he exclaimed.

Asked why he transferred, he replied, "Man, that's a loaded question." After a brief pause, he continued, "Primarily, it was a quality-of-life decision." The lower pay was a "factor," he added. "I have absolutely no regrets. I would highly recommend it."

The Chief-Leader/Adrienne Haywood-James TARGETING NEW TROOPERS: New York State Troopers talk to students at the April 20 job fair at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. 'We are looking for someone with a good moral character,' said Trooper Al Vasquez (left), noting that filing is set to begin May 1. But Officer Luca maintained that the NYPD was still many students' first choice, noting that he never has to go out of his way to approach people at fairs. "It's going good," he said an hour into the event. "Everybody seems like they are pretty interested in the job."

As he was speaking, a young female student approached his colleague. "I know you guys," she said with a smile. "I already took the last test."

A True Believer

While his colleague assisted the young lady, Officer Luca said that he didn't worry about the other recruiters and some of the added benefits that they offer. "Me personally, I don't pay attention to all the hoopla," the 17-year department veteran commented. "You can't really dwell on it. People seek us out."

The most popular spot at the fair by far was the CIA table towards the student entrance of the gymnasium. At one point, there was a line three and four students deep waiting to talk with the two recruiters, one of whom wore his badge over his t-shirt.

The other departments at the fair also said that they have had success attracting local candidates at such venues in New York City. "Students from John Jay communicate with other students and the word spreads to people within their communities," said Sgt. Charles Studders, a recruiter from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

'Professional' Cops

He noted that the job has changed over the years. "We are demanding more professional Police Officers nowadays," he remarked. "But if the benefits and pay don't reach that level you're not going to get the people."

The starting pay for officers in that Florida city is $42,868. Many officers also get "take-home" police cars, which some can access for personal use. "We've been doing it for four years," he remarked.

That new policy has also worked to help the vehicles last longer, he pointed out. Personal squad cars are in service for an average of six years, which is up from the previous two-year standard. "You're going to take better care of your own car," Sergeant Studders explained.

Still Short

Despite that and other benefits, the department is short 15 to 20 cops, he said. Many of the other recruiters at the fair indicated that they were also slightly below mandated headcount. But they all said that they were confident they could attract new candidates.

"It's not at the crisis level yet," Sergeant Studders said, referring to the situation in Fort Lauderdale. "I think we are at a time when a lot of senior officers are retiring."

The New York State Troopers' booth near the administration entrance also attracted a lot of traffic. Filing for that next exam is set to begin May 1, noted recruiter Al Vasquez. The last day to apply is Nov. 1 and the written exam is scheduled for January 2008, he added.

Pay is Main Attraction

The statewide position is popular, garnering 25,000 test-takers four years ago, he noted. "We generally hire the top 3 percent," he continued. One of the job's big draws, he said, is the starting salary of $50,374, which rises to $77,218 after five years on the job.

The NYPD recruiters noted that there are always new candidates. Students become eligible to take the written exam after reaching age 17-1/2. "Just because you are below your numbers today doesn't mean that you they will be low tomorrow," said Officer Luca.