The Frederick Police Department is pleased to announce the release of its new recruiting website: www.frederickpolice.org.
The Frederick Police Department is pleased to announce the release of its new recruiting website: www.frederickpolice.org. The website contains detailed information on both entry-level and in-state lateral police officer positions, the steps in the hiring and selection process, salary and benefits, and frequently asked questions. The website also has a highly visible link to redirect visitors to the on-line application software.
Chief Thomas Ledwell said the site was created after analyzing several years’ worth of data in an attempt to meet the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies with finding high quality, qualified applicants to fill police officer positions. Data showed the vast majority of police applicants, especially those who were ultimately hired, relied heavily on the internet to find information about available police officer positions. The data also showed that job fairs and other similar types of recruiting efforts were not only the most costly in terms of manpower and fees, they were the least effective in attracting applicants who were ultimately hired. “Our goal for the website was to cast a larger net, so to speak, and draw in more applicants for our police officer positions,” Chief Ledwell said. The Department will continue to use multiple approaches in its recruiting efforts where feasible.
The recruiting website and online application software went live on the internet August 1, 2013. Since then the Department has received 264 applications for the entry-level police officer position, which is a pace to receive about 1690 applications every 12 months. Prior to the website’s release, the Department averaged 500 applications every 12 months.
The online application software has allowed the Department to automate much of the multi-step selection and hiring process. It has been so successful the Department no longer accepts paper applications for police officer positions. Chief Ledwell said, “By automating the process we have dramatically reduced the time and cost associated with sending out multiple mailings to hundreds of applicants.” Applicants now receive all correspondence electronically and can even schedule themselves for written testing and panel interviews, which saves administrative personnel hours of work each year.
To build up the applicant pool, the Department accepts applications for entry-level and in-state lateral police officer positions on a continual basis. They conduct an entry-level training academy approximately once per year and screen lateral applicants approximately twice per year. Once the Department is ready to commence a selection process, applicants in the pool are notified and the process begins.
Those interested in learning more about becoming a police officer with the Frederick Police Department are encouraged to visit the website and complete an application. www.frederickpolice.org
Press Release Prepared by:
Sgt. Matt Evans
Supervisor, Personnel Unit
Frederick Police Department
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-1264 Office
301-600-6201 Fax
jevans@frederickmdpolice.org