Looking for stellar cops

Looking for stellar cops

Terri Miles, Staff Writer

May 11, 2005

The Milford Police Department is looking for a few quality men and women and is willing to search the entire state for stellar applicants.

Last week Police Chief Keith Mello introduced a five-member Police Recruitment Team that volunteered for the task. Milford currently has eight openings.

"This team of officers all expressed an interest in working toward our goal of attracting a diverse group of highly qualified police applicants for upcoming test on June 24," Mello said. "It's not about the numbers, it's about diversity and quality."

The diverse team of recruiters includes Officer Joanna Salati, a seven-year veteran; Officer Brian Rojee, who joined the force Jan. 4; and Officer Tyrone Dancy, a four-year department member.

Officer Vaughn Dumas will assist the team, which is rounded out by Sgt. Tony Vitti, who has spent 13 years on the force and Sgt. Joseph Della Monica, a 14-year veteran of the force.

"The number of police applicants in the state of Connecticut has dwindled in the last four or five years," Mello said. "As a result police departments from throughout the state are competing from the same pool of qualified candidates."

He said the recruiters will spend the next two months going to college campus student centers, informing students about the opportunities the Milford Police Department has to offer.

"If someone is interested in a career in law enforcement, we want them to think of us first," Mello said. "In addition, this team will build a liaison with military recruiters in an effort to attract those men and women who are leaving the military and entering the job market."

Mello said attracting minority applicants and high school students who, in the future might consider a career in law enforcement, also is an important part of the plan.

The Milford Police Department is desirable because it's large enough to offer opportunities in advancement and small enough so its members don't "get lost," according to Mello.

In the past Milford officials have attended job fairs prior to the testing date, but the new team brings a more focused approach.

Mello said that once the officers are recruited and trained, they most likely will be happy with the healthy work environment and stay with the department for many years to come.

Salati said she recently became the department's DARE officer and is a member of the new bicycle unit. "We get positive response from the public, which is great," she said.

Rojai said that although his career is just getting off the ground, he is comfortable as a Milford police officer.

"I look at my eight hours here, and I want to stay over," he said. "It's exciting, based on the number of different things I've learned, and from listening to the veteran officers on the force, that feeling never changes."

Mello said, "We want people who have a passion for law enforcement. We want to attract the most highly qualified candidates and the best way to do that is to make sure they know what they are getting into from the start. This team is here to tell them the advantages and disadvantages of being on the force."

Dumas said the team will answer candidates' questions about the written tests and agility tests, rather than leaving them alone.

"Once they start the academy, candidates are assigned a mentor from the department to help make them more comfortable through the process," Dumas said.

Vitti said the job is much more than a 40-hour a week position. Milford police officers are always in the community, both on and off duty.

"We want our recruits to be passionate about the job because they want to help people," Vitti said. "We want to make sure that we get the best quality candidates because we will be working with them every day, and we all need to rely on one another."

"It's important that the applicants get a 'feel' from the people who work the job every day," Salati said.

The Milford department has its own training academy and offers several job opportunities, including positions on the detective division, forensic unit, computer forensic unit, anti-crime against children task force, bicycle and marine patrols, and a scuba and SWAT team.

Intent forms and past history questionnaires are available at the Milford Police Department on the Boston Post Road. Completed forms must be returned to the department no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, June 24.

The entry-level agility test will take place at Foran High School, Saturday, June 25.

Among the requirements to apply for the Milford Police Department applicants must be a U.S. citizen, 21 years old by Sept. 1, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have eyesight correctable to 20/20, be in good physical condition and of a good moral background.

The job offers a minimum $45,656 salary, sick pay, vacation time, uniforms, health, dental and life insurance, a pension plan and education bonuses for college degrees in police-related fields.