The Phoenix Police Department hosted a test for new recruits Saturday morning. This is the first round of applicants offered a hiring incentive of $7,500.
Applicants are subject to both written and physical testing, including agility courses and scaling vertical walls.
English Qualls is a Recruiting Officer for the Phoenix Police Department. She says each candidate also goes through a thorough background check.
The checks can take up to six months, and include going through applicants' social media history.
“Because we want to make sure that we’re attracting and getting the right type of applicant. That does mean that we will go thoroughly back many many years to see what type of applicant you are,” said Qualls.
Qualls says the department’s social media guidelines are strict, and the background checks are to ensure that potential officers have a strong sense of character.
Randy Marquez is one of the applicants who underwent a physical and written test. He says he was unaware of the hiring bonus, and has applied to be a police officer multiple times.
“No, I’ve wanted to be a cop for a while, and I knew about the incentive after the fact, so I still wanted to do it either way. This is my second time out here in Phoenix,” said Marquez.
A representative from the city of Phoenix says the money for the hiring incentives comes from savings due to budgeted open positions.
