The Race For A Police Patrol Job

By Andrew Gorosko

Of the 71 police patrol job applicants who turned out for physical agility testing at Newtown High School Wednesday, 54 people passed the tests.

Applicants ran 11/2  miles around the high school track, performed sit-ups, and also lifted weights as part of the physical testing for the patrolman positions, said Detective Sergeant Henry Stormer, who heads the police department’s hiring unit. Police plan to hire three new patrolmen by October 1.

The physical agility testing is conducted on a pass/fail basis, with performance requirements based on applicants’ age and gender.

The 40 job applicants who scored the highest on a July 31 written test and who also passed the physical agility test will have oral interviews with a board of three police officers on August 11 and 14. At least 30 applicants will have oral interviews with the Police Commission the week of August 21, Sgt Stormer said.

The police department received 131 job applications from people seeking to fill the three patrol officer positions. Police had given out 403 application forms.

In the past, the department had used the services of the Municipal Police and Fire Registry, a Bethel-based testing service, to provide it with lists of job candidates. The department has now opted to conduct its own written testing to increase the pool of  job candidates.

The department currently has 36 officers. It is authorized to have up to 40 officers. If a second school resource officer post is authorized, the complement would rise to 41 officers.

The three new patrol officers hired by the Police Commission would enter the police academy by October, undergo police training, return to the police department for on-the-road training, and be full-fledged officers who patrol independently by the middle of next year.

Candidates who progress through the hiring process also are subject to psychological testing, lie detector testing, and background checks.

Police are conducting initial background checks on prospective patrolmen. More thorough background checking will be done as the hiring process proceeds, Sgt Stormer said.

 The starting pay for new patrolmen is $34,848. The pay rises to $47,028 in a five-year progression to top patrolman salary. Insurance coverage is Blue Cross/Blue Shield Century Preferred with a $27.50 biweekly co-payment by the employee. Pension benefits are provided. Employees contribute five percent of their base pay to the pension plan. Officers receive paid holidays, paid vacation, a cleaning and clothing allowance, educational incentives, longevity pay, sick leave, and overtime pay.