COVINGTON, Ky. — The Covington Police Department is trying to hire more officers, but like departments across the country, it isn’t easy.
“It’s a workforce crisis right now- a workforce shortage,” said Lieutenant Justin Bradbury of the Covington Police Department.
Police Exectuve Research Forum, or PERF, did a survey that shows many agencies are still facing workforce shortages. Bradbury said the Covington Police Department made adjustments to its application requirements to expand the hiring pool.
To become a police officer in Covington, applicants must meet the following initial requirements:
- At least 21 years of age
- No felony convictions
- U.S. citizen
- High school graduate/GED
Candidates must also have at least one of the following:
- Obtained an associate degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent hours while working toward a bachelor’s degree with an average grade of “C” or above.
- Have an established work history of a minimum of two years.
- Completed 2 years of continuous active duty military service with an honorable discharge, or
- Employed as a full-time sworn police officer in the United States within the last 12 months with at least two (2) years of experience
Bradbury said the department used to require 30 credit hours of college credit, but the associate or equivalent in a bachelor’s degree is one change. The other applicant requirement change is the two-year work history.
“What it does not do is it does not reduce the quality of candidates we are hiring,” Bradbury said, as they have a rigorous selection process to make sure they’re selecting the right people for the job.
Applying for a position with the Covington Police Department is only the start. Candidates must also complete physical agility, psychological, polygraph and background checks before being sworn in as officers.
Bradbury said a job at the police department provides room for growth and opportunities for a full career.
“You may find yourself part of a great team, part of a family and you get to just serve your community while you’re at it,” he said.
