By Laura Hayes, Senior Community Reporter
(Photo/submitted)
SHREWSBURY – The Shrewsbury Police Department is looking to fill a series of vacant positions. But limitations in the state’s police academy program, among other things, are causing delays, Police Chief Kevin Anderson recently told the Board of Selectmen.
According to Anderson, the department had 10 vacant positions in 2021. Six of those were from retirements, while four positions were new positions approved in fiscal year (FY) 2022.
Anderson said the department is authorized to have 54 sworn officers.
The process to hire police officers is lengthy, though, Anderson said. He explained that it includes coordinating with civil service and conducting background checks, interviews, medical as well as psychological exams and fitness exams before finding an academy.
While academies are now at full capacity, Anderson said that, during parts of the COVID-19 pandemic, most state academies were limited to 25 seats.
“The issue is a lot of municipalities and cities are in the same boat we are in that they’re trying to find academies to backfill positions,” Anderson said.
(Photo/Courtesy of the Shrewsbury Senior Center)
With the academy lasting about five months and new hires then heading to field training, Anderson said the process of hiring and training an officer can take up to a year and a half.
In one case, the Shrewsbury police had three officers in one academy. One of the officers withdrew in the second week, and the other was dismissed for academic failures, Anderson said.
He added that an upcoming December academy is now full.
“If we had everything completed right now, we wouldn’t be able to put someone into an academy until March,” Anderson said.
Anderson confirmed in a follow-up email to the Community Advocate that there are three officers currently in the academy. Three graduated during the late spring while two more are scheduled for that December academy. Two vacancies remained open as of Sept. 29.
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