Aug. 11, 2006 – The V.I. Police Department is looking for a few good men and women, and police officer examination dates for St. Croix will begin in August and run through January.
Applications are available at the personnel department in the Orange Grove shopping center, Christiansted.
Candidates must be U.S. citizens with at least a high school diploma, or awarded an equivalency certificate. Candidates must be at least 20 years old, have no criminal record, and either have or qualify for a driver's license.
Shawna K. Richards, Police public relations manager, said one of the department's strategic goals is to increase manpower. "Having regular opportunities for qualified individuals to take the examinations enables the department to achieve that goal."
Once the written examination is passed, applicants are tested on their ability to perform various physical tests and meet other pre-employment conditions. The physical tests include push ups, maneuvering an obstacle course, a half mile run, carrying 80 pounds and dragging 150 pounds.
A psychological and physical exam is conducted by the Department of Health or a local physician.
Off-island applicants can also apply. However, in order to obtain the study guide, which is distributed to all applicants one week before the test, off-island applicants are required to submit a $100 money order made payable to the Division of Personnel, to cover the cost of express mailing the guide. When the study guide is returned, $80 is refunded to the applicant.
During the six months of police academy training, recruits receive a salary of $27,753, which is increased to $29,748 at graduation. Officers receive two weeks paid vacation annually and three weeks vacation after three years of service. Other benefits include night differential pay, comprehensive medical and dental plans, uniforms and a uniform maintenance allowance, and retirement after 20 years of service.
Richards said examinations for the St. Thomas-St. John district will be scheduled at a later date, but the sign-up deadlines and testing dates on St. Croix are:
–Sign up by Aug. 17 for testing dates Aug 23-25
–Sign up Oct. 19 for testing Dates Oct. 25-27
–Sign up Jan. 18 for testing dates Jan 24-26
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