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.