Salinas police recruitment efforts ramp up

UPDATE 2/27/2017 5:20 p.m.:

Staffing continues to be an issue for the Salinas Police Department, but department leaders are finding new ways to get more men and women to join the ranks.

As of today, Salinas police has 136 sworn officers, roughly the same number at this point last year. But they are authorized to have 172. The department is actively looking for new officers with the help of a full-time recruiter.

Chief Adele Frese introduced Officer Todd Kessler on Monday, as the department’s new recruiter. The announcement came at the swearing in ceremony of Officer Daniel Martinez, who most recently worked at Soledad Police.

“I was looking for a larger agency with a little bit more resources and different units and things like that,” Martinez said.

SPD is looking for more officers like him. Eight officers are in training, while at least five recruits are slated to start the academy this spring.

Because it is short 36 sworn officers, the department is trying new tactics. Officer Kessler’s new beat is looking for recruits rather than criminals.

“It’s a position that’s created for somebody to concentrate on that full time,” Kessler said. “Somebody that we can send out to the community, not just this community but other communities basically statewide to recruit, to come work for the city of Salinas.”

It’s a position that will take him to job fairs, military centers, academies and colleges across the state.

For officers transferring from other departments, there’s a $20,000 signing bonus.

Sgt. Kim Robinson admits becoming a police officer is a long and hard process. Not only is there a written exam, but also a physical one. However, the department is willing to make some adjustments by adding additional time to the mile and a half run.

While the background check process can be intimidating, honesty is the best policy.

“It’s not typically one thing that disqualifies somebody, it’s a combination of things,” Robinson said. “Ultimately the one thing we lose the most applicants to is honesty and in our experience, the things that they do lie about are things that would not have been disqualifying had they been truthful.”

They encourage people who are interested in a law enforcement career to come and see where they stand.

Officer Kessler’s office is based in city hall, available to answer questions. People can also call the hotline, 831-235-1408.

ORIGINAL POST:

The Salinas Police Department swore in new officer Daniel Martinez Monday morning at the City Hall Rotunda. This comes as the department is trying to recruit more officers.

Salinas police currently has 136 sworn officers, but is authorized for 172 positions, according to Sgt. Kim Robinson. At this same time last year, the department was not far off, with 134 sworn officers.

KION’s Mariana Hicks takes a look at what’s being done to recruit more officers.