May 14, 2006 11:17 pm US/Central
Signing Bonus Bringing In More DPD Recruits
by J.D. Miles
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
The City of Dallas may have found a solution to one of its biggest problems. Response to a new $10,000 signing bonus has more people wanting to be Dallas police officers.
148 people endured a weekend of written and physical tests with the hope of becoming Dallas police officers. That's twice as many as the department usually sees.
"We have on site testing that's going on this weekend ordinarily we would process between 60 and 70 people so far today we've processed 90," said Dep. Chief Floyd Simpson, Dallas Police Department.
The city's new $10,000 recruiting bonus has opened the eyes of recent applicants, many of whom are pursuing second careers.
DPD's recent academy class, selected before the incentive plan was approved, had half the graduates the department wanted.
New officer John Ross appreciates the unexpected money, but hopes those who follow him have the right motives. "I hope that they're not just joining for the money... actually police work is in their heart. I mean the $10,000 doesn't make you a good officer."
New billboards over Dallas and cities throughout the country should go a long way in helping to fill 116 openings and attract prospective recruits like Melvin Williams.
"It's real easy to say lets go try to make the world a better place, but I mean if you're out in the society and you want to make the quality of life better why not be part of an organization that does that."
The city's officer shortage is often blamed for slow response times and increases in some crimes. But the new message Dallas is getting across, crime doesn't pay, but crime-fighting does.
(CBS 11 News)
