Those who want a more comprehensive and accurate breakdown of law enforcement than “Cops” might offer can attend Police Officer Career Night tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Emergency Services Training Center, 1705 W. 2nd Ave CQ. The meeting is free and open to the public CQ.
Kerry Delf, a public information officer at the Eugene Police Department CQ, said the informational meeting isn’t just for people who are sure they want to become law enforcement officers. She encourages anyone who thinks the job might suit them to come to Career Night.
“There are people who know from the time they’re 5 years old that they want to be a cop, and then there are others who didn’t at all expect to go that way, but found that they really liked it,” said Delf. “This night is for both groups, for people who know they’re interested and want to learn more about it.”
EPD Operations Support Captain Steve Swenson CQ said to expect a simple information session with question and answer time at the end, but nothing hands-on or action-packed.
“We give an overview and talk about physical requirements, background requirements and training just to give people a flavor for what it’s about,” he said. “No one will be shooting any guns or anything.”
Swenson said although the life of a police officer is often exciting, it’s not the constant adrenaline rush that’s portrayed on television. Shootouts certainly aren’t the regular occurrence people might assume them to be.
“People are conditioned to think it’s like ‘Cops’ when really it’s mainly service-type calls dealing with people not getting along,” he said.
A prospective police officer, said Swenson, has to have particular qualities. For one, he or she must possess a genuine service ethic and an intense desire to help the community. Also, Swenson said, “you have to have some idealism but be realistic at the same time. You have to know that not everyone is nice and honest, but also that not everyone is mean and dishonest. You have to have that discern.”
Emotional resilience is also important, he said. “You regularly have to go to a bad situation, deal with it, put it down temporarily at home in your personal life, and then pick it back up again the next day.”
Rick Guerra, associate director of employer development at the UO Career Center CQ, said people who study psychology or social sciences might be interested in entering law enforcement. People interested in law and public policy would also be “appropriate.”
“They’re looking for people who have good reasoning skills and good people skills,” said Guerra.
Swenson said there are currently five positions open at EPD. If prospective officers were to begin the two required 16-week training sessions CQ right away, they may be able to secure one of the possible 10 openings in March.
Need some more incentive? A new officer’s salary starts at $47,000 a year and tops off at $67,000. Plus, said Swenson, “it’s very rewarding. Every now and then you have an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. Every day, every call is an opportunity to change a life.”
Apply online!
For more information about becoming a police officer, or to apply online, visit www.eugene-or.gov/jobs. Application deadline is October 12.
Contact the crime, health and safety reporter at [email protected]
