BPD will hire more officers due to Kruzan’s public safety initiative

The Bloomington Police Department will hire up to seven new police officers beginning in January 2011.

The new hirings are part of Mayor Mark Kruzan’s continuing public safety initiative.
One of the goals of the program is to employ 100 officers through the BPD by 2012.

BPD currently employs 95 sworn officers and 35 civilian employees.

“Increasing our numbers allows us to have additional officers available to address the needs of those students who live off-campus and to provide more enforcement opportunities,” BPD Captain Joe Qualters said.

Specifically, he said this includes cracking down on loud parties and illegal consumption and preventing areas off-campus from being vandalized. Qualters also cited a recent surge in vehicle thefts and parking tickets around Bloomington.

Senior Tessa Heller, who lives in a house off-campus, questioned how much safer she would feel with the addition of seven new officers.

“I can’t imagine they would be policing the area any more,” Heller said.

Heller said she feels fairly secure in her house as it is now, though she did feel safer in an apartment.

“I worry more about my stuff more than myself because I’ve had friends who have gotten stuff stolen but not hurt physically,” she said.

The new additions to the BPD come as many police agencies throughout Indiana have been forced to leave vacancies unfilled and halt the hiring of new officers due to the economy’s state.

“We are very fortunate that we are able to continue filling vacancies and hire additional personnel to serve the citizens of Bloomington. Many communities have not been as fortunate and have had to make difficult choices related to public safety,” said BPD Chief Michael Diekhoff in a press release.

Vacancies in the BPD come when officers retire or obtain new positions in federal agencies or other local agencies. Not only is the BPD able to fill these holes, but it is also able to expand its ranks.

“I think (the hiring of new officers) makes us somewhat unique and shows the level of the mayor’s commitment to public safety,” Qualters said.

The initial application period for new officers closed Friday. Potential hires are now required to pass a physical agility test as well as a written exam before undergoing a background check, an interview and a psychological assessment administered by the Board of Public Safety.

Those applicants offered jobs will enter a one-year probationary period, part of which includes 16 weeks of formal training.

“A police officer doesn’t really become comfortable with all they’re required to do probably until after three or five years of experience,” Qualters said.

Probationary officers receive a starting salary of $41,670 through the first year of employment, while an Officer First Class receives an annual salary of $46,300.

Distinct from the IU Police Department, which is funded in full by the University, the BPD provides public safety to approximately 72,000 people in a land area of 20-square miles.