Law enforcement in Portland have used every media opportunity to talk about shortages of patrolling officers. The Portland police bureau is now making efforts to get more officers on the streets. It’s all part of a larger effort to hire 200 armed officers over the next three years. A sergeant in the personnel bureau says Portland’s geographic location in the Pacific Northwest is one of its biggest draws. The police bureau is currently rebuilding its hiring division after pandemic-related cuts decimated it. This has become an issue across the board in almost every industry.
Sergeant Trevor Tyler says getting ads on social media and in other places will draw even more applicants. “We haven’t been out there, putting ourselves in social media spaces, or in any kind of platform to say, ‘Hey, the Portland police are hiring. Come and work for us,'” explained Tyler. “So, without any form of advertising, we’ve still have generated over 500 applicants. So, the hope is, is that now once we are starting to get this machine moving again, we’re gonna get a whole lot more.”
The city has plans to offer hiring bonuses to new applicants. The city council approved the funding in its recent fall adjustments. However, those are not being offered quite yet. To be an entry level, the hiring process is broken down into phases:
Phase 1: Apply and the Test
Phase 2: Personal History Statement
Phase 3: Personal History Questionnaire
Phase 4: Background Investigation (Physical Ability Test during this phase)
Phase 5: Command Interview
Phase 6: Psychological Evaluation
Phase 7: Medical Exam
For lateral officer hires POB site states: “We are actively looking for lateral police officers to join us. As the largest law enforcement agency in Oregon, we are responsible for policing a dynamic and beautiful city. Portland, just one hour away from the mountains or coast, has become renowned for its restaurants, high-tech and creative businesses and easygoing lifestyle. We offer numerous specialty and detached units that allow for variety, personal development and additional training. We promise a rewarding career, including a strong promotional path and premier ongoing training.”
