Broken Arrow needs more police officers

Broken Arrow is looking for a few good men and women to protect and serve. The city is growing and needs more officers to help keep crime in check, so the police department is hiring. <br/><br/>News

Wednesday, December 22nd 2004, 10:09 am

By: News On 6

Broken Arrow is looking for a few good men and women to protect and serve. The city is growing and needs more officers to help keep crime in check, so the police department is hiring.

News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright says they say it's a great career if you like to help others and enjoy an occasional adrenalin rush. Broken Arrow Police officers not only arrest criminals, but also play the role of family counselor, community leader and mediator.

Being in that many different situations on a daily basis calls for people who can keep a cool head in times of crisis. Broken Arrow Police Captain Heath Arning: "Back in the days of old, they'd just slap a uniform on you and you'd get your training on the streets. Now, some departments spend a year training their people because we do so many things outside what people think is actual police work."

Broken Arrow officers say their department is big enough to offer big city specialty units like a long-time SWAT team, street crimes to tackle the drug problem, a K-9 squad to ferret out hiding criminals and a bicycle squad to work big crowds and do community relations. Yet small enough where everyone knows each other and they feel they make a real difference. "There's a lot of satisfaction, it's not a job you get to become wealthy, but, we judge wealth in a different way."

Broken Arrow has grown from a town of about 11,000 people back in the 60's to one of more than 90,000 now and with expansion, comes added crime, which means a need for more officers. "We know realistically we can't stop the problems, so we want to make sure staffing doesn't become a problem. In the next seven years, we plan to hire 66 more officers."

Broken Arrow officers make a starting salary of $32,400 a year; the department requires either an associate's degree or 64 college hours.

Applications need to be in by January 7th and then, there will be two testing dates, January 20th and 22nd at the Haskell Middle School in Broken Arrow.

If you need more information, you can call the department at 259-8400.