CA Cops looking to Facebook, YouTube for recruits

Orange County Register

The Police Department, facing a possible 26 percent drop in its force this year, is looking at new strategies to recruit and retain sworn officers.

Officials are considering ideas such as giving department employees cash bonuses for referring successful candidates, creating a Facebook page and launching YouTube videos.

The department could lose eight officers to retirement this year, said Seal Beach police Sgt. Bob Mullins.

“About one-fourth of the department is eligible to bolt and could retire at any minute,” he said. “We need to prepare for that exodus.”

The department now is at maximum capacity, with 30 sworn officers – two who were recently hired, Mullins said.

“That was a daunting task because of a variety of reasons,” he said. “It took us a long time to find candidates who were qualified.”

City Council members at their meeting tonight will discuss more aggressive recruiting and retention standards that could be put in place for the department.

Incentive options could include giving employees bonuses for referring successful candidates, creating a recruitment team and including online sample tests to help candidates prepare for the written exam.

The department also wants to implement new recruiting efforts that could include establishing a My Space or Facebook page, launching videos on YouTube and placing ads in public restrooms.

The Costa Mesa and Newport Beach police departments offer incentives for their officers. Costa Mesa has an assigned vehicle program and offers a 2.5 percent uniform assignment pay. Newport Beach offers a 3 percent differential and credit for earlier service.

Seal Beach in recent years has implemented some strategies to keep officers on the force including a career development program, advanced training programs and awards recognition programs, among others.

Getting prospective candidates in uniform has proven to be difficult because of the department’s high standards, officials said.

City Manager David Carmany said that out of every 100 candidates, only one is qualified to join the force.

Officers have to pass extensive background checks that include having good financial and personal records, no reported drug use presently or in the past, and physical and psychological tests.

Candidates also must have at least a high school diploma, but Mullins said it is rare that they hire someone without some higher education.

Prospective officers have to attend a six-month academy and, if they are hired, they are put on a 12-month probationary period.

“Police officers are a precious commodity,” Carmany said.