Dutchess Police seek to recruit minorities

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Monday, September 3, 2007

Police seek to recruit minorities

Study sessions organized to help applicants

By Christine Pizzuti

Poughkeepsie Journal

In an effort to better reflect the communities they serve, police agencies in Dutchess County are actively enlisting minorities and women to be part of their departments.

The Dutchess County Personnel Department will hold a series of test preparation workshops to give applicants an idea of what their strong areas are and what they need to work on before taking the test Nov. 17. Applications need to be postmarked by Oct. 17.

"We have five locations throughout the county, where we will help the applicants work their way through the test-taking process, how to approach the exam, some key points on how to read the questions and how to come up with the answers," said Curtis Forbes, the county's equal opportunity employment officer.

Forbes, who works for the county personnel department, said there is a great need for a more diverse work force, and while the program is open to all applicants, the departments are specifically encouraging minorities and women to apply.

Bilingual officers sought

In addition to well-rounded representation within the departments, police are also seeking bilingual officers, City of Poughkeepsie police Capt. Steve Manard said.

"We have several departments working with our agency, the City of Poughkeepsie police department, and they've agreed to help us with the funding of the advertising for it, and they've also offered to supply study guides and materials," Manard said. "Part of that funding was (from) the Dutchess County Association of Police Chiefs."

He said police organizations within the county, excluding state police, are accepting applicants. The tests are only administered every three or four years.

Aiding in the outreach process is the program's recruitment committee, chaired by city police Chief Ronald Knapp.

Shirley Adams, executive director of Catharine Street Community Center, is also active in the committee, which Adams said is a subcommittee of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

"The last time the test was given, we went countywide doing outreach to the communities and sort of an awareness campaign to let the community know the test was being given," Adams said. "Sometimes with these tests, people have a tendency not to have a heads up until after the test is over."

She said the committee feels if the information is disseminated early enough, the possibility of applicants will increase.

"And of course, we want to get the best candidates out there," she said. "The best people for the job - that's always the bottom line."

Reach Christine Pizzuti at cpizzuti@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4882.

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Study groups

Call and register at the phone numbers below to participate in test preparation at the following sites:

• Thursday: City of Beacon Fire House No. 2, South Avenue (Route 9D), Beacon.

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Call 845-838-5064.

• Saturday: City of Poughkeepsie Community Room, 505 Main St., Poughkeepsie.

Time: 9-11 a.m.

Call 845-451-4163.

• Sept. 10: Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, 150 North Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie.

Times: 7-9 p.m.

Call 845-486-3800.

• Sept. 18: John Jay High School Cafeteria, 2012 Route 52, Hopewell Junction.

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Call 845-831-1110.

• Oct. 13: Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department Training Room, Tucker Drive, Poughkeepsie.

Time: 10 a.m. to noon.

Call 845-485-3666.