LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say a boost in recruits and surge of interest in a law enforcement career is coming from Las Vegas Valley youth, after years of outreach to local high schools.
County officials reported several weeks ago that the latest police academy enrollment was full (some students have deferred enrollment since into the next session), showing promising signs to fill less than100 vacancies and 93 positions that will be added to meet the Valley’s growing population needs.
Two years ago, FOX5 told you how LVMPD finally started to see an uptick in recruits, following a slump for years. Sergeant of Recruiting John Deschutter tells FOX5, aggressive high school recruiting strategies and outreach has helped teens out of high school prepare for the police academy and careers.
“The cadet program is one of our biggest successes we’ve had. We’re still in and out of a lot of high schools. Every academy this year has had cadets who are graduating now from the program to become police officers,” said Sgt. Deschutter.
LVMPD also brought back the return of the Cadet Program, helping 18-year-olds get a job with the police right outside high school; cadets can be eligible for the police academy once they turn 21.
“What better way to get a career right at 18. That’s where our biggest growth is right now. And it’s really, really cool to get local kids staying local,” Deschutter said.
In this economy, many people are searching for careers with no college debt and good benefits.
“We do give bonuses if you’re bilingual for Spanish, or have a degree like bachelors, masters. We also we have a pension system. It’s something that’s disappearing in most of the workforce,” he said.
“WHEN you do 30 years at Metro, you can do 10 different jobs. You can do homicide, vice, come to the recruiting section, there’s so many different jobs, you’re not going to be bored here,” Deschutter said.
For more information about becoming a police officer, click here.
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