SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Santa Maria Police Department will have soon have a sea of new faces. The department is in the process of adding 20 new police officers to their staff.
Interim Police Chief Ralph Martin says it's an exciting time for the department. He also says the department is looking forward to a number of promotions and the overall change this will bring.
SMPD currently has about 100 officers, according to Martin. The department is looking to add 20 new officers over the next year, a 20% increase to the staff.
A panel of 2 sergeants, a detective, and city human resources employees have already begun interviewing applicants this past week.
Says Martin, "a lot of other police agencies are cutting back, but we're in a good position where we can hire right now."
Currently, the department has 10 openings for police officers. But a number of promotions and retirements coming soon will add 10 more to the total.
According to Martin, the starting salary for new officers will be $65,000 a year along with benefits. Those with some years of police officer experience could make $75,000 a year.
The process of hiring these new officers won't come easy.
"It's a long process. It takes about 4 or 5 months to get someone hired," says Martin. "You have a polygraph, an intense background check, and then an interview with the chief."
Martin says the department is welcoming the change.
"I know the department has gone through a lot in 2012, but I'm here to share with you that the department is looking forward to the change," says Martin.
Along with the new hires, Martin says the department will be able to re implement school resource officers and its D.A.R.E. officer program.
