Officer candidates undergo intense background checks
JANESVILLE — Officer candidates undergo intense background checks.
About 175 applicants recently were competing for three open positions, Deputy Police Chief David Moore said, and the best candidates underwent a 40-hour background investigation.
Officer candidates started the application process with a written test that checked for math, writing and reading comprehension skills, Moore said.
They also had to pass a physical agility test, checking for running and jumping skills, he said.
The tests eliminated about half the applicants, Moore said.
Then the top 30 were offered initial interviews, he said.
The best candidates after the interview process had their backgrounds investigated.
Department investigators interviewed relatives, friends, employers, co-workers, neighbors, landlords and former teachers or professors, Sgt. Rick Larson said.
The department also ran credit checks and criminal background checks, he said.
About 40 hours was spent investigating each candidate, Larson said.
“We want people who will work hard, be honest, with high integrity,” he said. “We try and find the best person that we can that will fit in with the Janesville Police Department.”
Investigators want to learn about a candidate’s work ethic, honesty and behavior, Larson said. They also want to know about anger issues, aggressiveness and gender or racial biases.
Drug and alcohol use also is researched.
“We expect a lot of our police officers,” Moore said. “The Janesville Police Department desires to provide a high level of service for Janesville citizens.”
Minor arrests don’t necessarily disqualify people, Larson said. Old traffic or underage drinking tickets might be overlooked.
Investigators search for a pattern of bad behavior, he said.
“We realize life happens and people aren’t perfect,” Larson said.
If the candidate passes the background investigation, the person has an interview with the police chief and an interview with the Police and Fire Commission.
And job offers are conditional upon psychological and medical evaluations.
New hires remain on probation with the department for 18 months.
They’re paid $35,000 a year.
Moore said the department hopes to make job offers for the three positions in January.
Dec 3, 2008 at 11:37 a.m.
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OMG! I never even thought about that!
Thank you to ALL the police officers who risk so much to do what they can to protect our community!!!!
Dec 3, 2008 at 9:02 a.m.
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Not to mention running into someone that you arrested while out and about with your family. Especially when they look at you and say, "don't I know you from somewhere?"
Dec 3, 2008 at 8:45 a.m.
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Well whatever they do to get their police officers I for one am happy that they go to such lengths to get the best they can. I could NEVER do what a police officer does. Living in a state of extreme caution where at any minute a traffic stop can turn into a war zone..scary! But, I do appreciate what police officers do for our community!
Kudos!!
Dec 2, 2008 at 3:45 p.m.
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chemical 6,
The argument for running a credit chec is that employers believe they can use credit history to determine responsibility. Clearly, there are situations where a bad credit history may be due to something completely out of an individual’s control, but this is still something to keep in mind.
No where did I write that someone with poor credit history is "not a loyal and honest human being". You overly exaggerated my position.
Dec 2, 2008 at 3:40 p.m.
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Not everyone wants to be, silly.
Dec 2, 2008 at 2:46 p.m.
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And NOT everyone should be in Law Enforcement.
Dec 2, 2008 at 1:04 p.m.
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Mental tests- ie, math, reading, psychological, racism, bias, etc etc.
Not everyone has perfect credit. Maybe some people were single parents that couldn't pay bills on time. Especially now with the job market.
I do not need to apply. I have a great job. Thanks!
Dec 2, 2008 at 9:02 a.m.
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nurse4u - What is a MENTAL test?? A credit history tells a lot about a person. RESPONSIBILITY in REPAYING a persons DEBT. That is important. If you do not pay your bills in a timely, what else do you not do.
It shows Responsibiltiy, Accountability, Integrity. If you "don't get the credit checks" don't apply for the job.
Dec 2, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.
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well it just seems to me that a credit check should be used when purchasing things on credit NOT to gain employment. I understand the criminal backgound, physical and mental tests I really do. I just dont get the credit checks. Its creepy.
Dec 1, 2008 at 9:07 p.m.
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I don't understand why the JPD requires fitness and agility tests. They do not require officers to be physcially fit and agile. If you aren't going to require a specific minimum for physcial conditioning on the job, why require it to be hired???
Dec 1, 2008 at 6:20 p.m.
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In order to pay officers more than $35K, city officials would have to do crazy things like cut costs and unnecessary spending. That my just be too much to ask. Just my $.02
Dec 1, 2008 at 4:14 p.m.
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They don't say a troubled credit history disqualifies a candidate. It is just one of several factual records of a person which can be used to evaluate recruits.
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Personally, I think the quality of the recruiting procedure has suffered since they stopped asking candidates: "Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?"
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:)
Dec 1, 2008 at 3:40 p.m.
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The reason the JPD is having a difficult time hiring minorities is it seems they expect alot from their applicants. WOW! Some I can understand, but other parts, are you serious?
My credit isn't that great, but I am a great nurse! Imagine being denied a job because your credit isn't stellar, especially in these economic times!
Dec 1, 2008 at 3:09 p.m.
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You're right Whatever. Even Baraboo starts at $39,894. Janesville is kind of low.
Dec 1, 2008 at 2:59 p.m.
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I think you all need to check your facts and figures with comp size cities! JPD is one of the lowest around for new recruits! 35k is a low starting wage for a 4 year college degree. 25k is not the starting wage for NYPD.
Dec 1, 2008 at 2:55 p.m.
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Don't forget about overtime. They get a lot of that.
Dec 1, 2008 at 2:54 p.m.
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yeah the jpd shouldve done extensive checks with some of there other police officers, i have personally seen racism out of some janesville police officers its rediculous hopefully the new rooks will be generous ones
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:50 p.m.
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$35K is about 10-15% higher than the national average starting pay for police. Additionally, Janesville has an attractive cost of living, especially where housing costs are concerned.
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:46 p.m.
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TCB - So you are saying that because someone has poor credit history that they are not an honest and loyal human being... got it.
Next time I bounce a check I will remember to tell myself how much of an sleazy lying jerk I am. Give me a break. You bounce two checks and your credit score goes WAY down... it doesn't mean you are a bad person or someone that lies and takes bribes... and I am sorry but with the pay that they start at, it wouldn't surprise me if their credit was not very good, especially if they are younger people getting these jobs and just starting to be adults.
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:23 p.m.
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You think $35K is low... ever see a military base pay chart? Yes, those are monthly amounts.
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http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/military...
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:18 p.m.
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I'm glad to see that the J-ville PD does such a thorough job of doing background check on it's applicants. And an officer's starting pay is $35,000... which isn't really all that bad coming out of college. Their pay eventually increases and if they stick it out long enough, it can be a well paying career. It's not like a 30 year veteran on the force will make $35,000. Plus, don't forget about the benefits. Police officers usually have good medical, retirement, and paid time off packages that accompany their salaries. Their benefits and salaries are well deserved. Thanks Police Officers!
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:12 p.m.
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35 k is an insult for a starting Police Officer! No wonder they have trouble attracting canidates!
Dec 1, 2008 at 12:19 p.m.
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Chemical 6:
Do you want the police to catch criminals? or would you prefer that the police receive bribes from criminals? How about a history of check bouncing? Is it a good idea to have stable credit history? I think it is.
Dec 1, 2008 at 11:08 a.m.
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It's just a way to check on someones reliability.
Dec 1, 2008 at 10:04 a.m.
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Wow, policemen don't make a lot of money... and what in the world do they do credit checks for? I hate credit checks... it seems like you can't get anything in this world without stellar credit... it's annoying.
But yet old traffic or underage drinking tickets might be overlooked... just make sure you pay your light bill on time, or your definately not able to be a police officer... lol geez.
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