HANCOCK COUNTY — Jacob Verble is learning how to become a Greenfield police officer.
The Danville native wanted to be in law enforcement after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and legal studies. One of his lessons this week at GPD was on how to properly use a Taser. The session is just one of the many equipment procedural studies on tap before he heads to the police academy in June.
“I knew I didn’t want a desk job,” Verble said. “I’m definitely keeping an open mind, and maybe some day I’ll get to investigations.”
For people like Verble who may have thought about a career as a first-responder, now might be the time to apply for open positions. Several law enforcement agencies in the county are hiring police officers. Some some fire departments are accepting applications as well.
Agencies’ hunt for worthy applicants, however, is coming up against two of the biggest obstacles surrounding public service jobs: recruitment of qualified applicants and then keeping them once they’re hired.
Not only is the GPD looking for a new chief with the impending retirement of Chief Jeff Rasche; they’re also looking to hire a handful of officers and are keeping an application process open until April 30.
Capt. Chuck McMichael, public information officer for the GPD, said 19 people had applied as of late last week, and leaders and are hoping for more.
“This hiring process will be a full process, meaning that no law enforcement experience is needed to apply, but currently certified officers are encouraged to apply,” McMichael said.
The starting pay for a probationary officer is $47,818. An applicant who already is certified can make up to $53,910.
McMichael noted they are somewhat encouraged by the number and quality of applications they’ve received already. Some have college degrees, like Verble, who simply want to serve their community. They’ll learn more about other potential candidates when they hold some testing in early May.
The department hopes to have the same success it has recently enjoyed.
“All of the officers we hired last year, and early this year, have been great additions to our department,” McMichael said.
Others are hiring as well.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department is about to lose two deputies to the Sugar Creek Township Fire Department and is also hiring jailers to work at the new jail.
Capt. Robert Harris, public information officer for the sheriff’s department, said several jail officers already have been hired as the department gears up for the new jail to open.
“We will be hiring several more jail officers later this year so we will be ready to staff the new, larger jail when it opens,” Harris said.
Starting salary for jail officers is set at $39,300.
The Sheriff’s Department will begin the process to hire merit deputies within the next few months, Harris said. Their current starting pay is $47,975, which increases to $49,775 after a probationary period. By a deputy’s third year, the base salary increases to $52,975.
The McCordsville Police Department closed out its application process last week and had some 30 applicants for one open position. They’ll start their agility testing on Saturday. From there, the department will reduce the pool of candidates and will begin reviewing the remaining ones more seriously.
“It’s really hit or miss on how many applicants that apply will show up for the physical agility testing,” said Capt. Aaron Watts, the MPD public information officer.
McCordsville’s starting pay is set at $43,000 and moves to $45,000 at the end of a probationary period. A third-year officer will make $49,000. Chief Paul Casey noted that with continued strong growth in the area, he expects to add staff in coming years. That’s why he likes having a healthy pool of candidates.
Corey Breese, public information officer for the Greenfield Fire Territory, said the county’s largest fire department has three newly open spots due to retirements.
“We’re already short a few spots, and that’s never a good thing,” Breese said.
He anticipates opening the positions to applicants toward the end of April or early May. Breese said the number of people applying to the department has dropped because many surrounding fire departments pay more. Starting pay for a Greenfield firefighter is about $47,000 a year.
“You can travel 10 minutes west and make $15,000 to $20,000 more a year,” Breese said.
The Sugar Creek Township Fire Department is one of those better-paying departments. It just started a training process for potential new firefighters even though it has had little turnover. Public information officer Tony Bratcher said a trained firefighter in the third year of service has a base salary of $61,000.
“In the 14 years I’ve been here, I think I’ve only seen one guy leave and go elsewhere,” Bratcher said. “We’ve been blessed and haven’t felt the pressures some other first-responder departments do.”
He credits the firefighter union’s relationship with Sugar Creek Township for being able to pay first-responders enough to stay. It’s why, Bratcher said, they always have good turnout for their training classes so volunteers can get on a list or make an impression to be hired full time should an opening occur.
Public safety agencies, however, know that success also hinges on finding candidates who are motivated by something else.
“I would like to be a member of the community,” said Verble, the GPD rookie, “and let people know officers are good people who are here to help; and that’s what I aim to do.”
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Applications are still being sought by the Greenfield Police Department and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Visit the GPD Facebook page for instructions on how to apply for positions. Or visit www.policeapp.com/entry-Level-Greenfield-IN-Police-Officer-Jobs/3008/
For positions with the Sheriff’s Department visit: Sheriffweb.Hancockcoingov.org and follow the links on their website.
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