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Help Wanted

Those of us in Mendocino County law enforcement have one challenge that remains constant: hiring great people. If you’ve ever considered a career in law enforcement, now is the time to apply.

 Whether you’re interested in working on the street as an officer or deputy, in the jail, in dispatch, or even in our probation system; we are looking for great people to enter our profession here in Mendocino County—men and women from diverse backgrounds who want to serve their communities.

 Before you say a career in law enforcement is not for you, consider this.

 Law enforcement leaders in Mendocino County are committed to recruiting and developing local candidates–people like you–who have grown up in our communities, people who have made the choice to live and work here, people who are invested in keeping our neighborhoods and business districts safe.    

 We think finding local, community-minded men and women is essential to creating great organizations. As I said, that means we are looking for you!

 I must warn you that becoming a law enforcement professional is not easy. There a number of steps you have to take:

  •  Applicants must pass a series of tests, including written and oral interview examinations.
  •  Applicants must pass a background screening that reviews any previous drug use, criminal history, domestic violence history, financial management, vehicle operations and past tickets, character references, and employment history–just to list the highlights. 
  •  Applicants must also pass extensive psychological and physical examinations.

 We intensely screen every applicant so we can hire great people, but getting through the testing process is not as difficult as you may think; and once you’re hired, the rewards of this profession can be endless.

I am often told how dangerous the law enforcement profession has become—that only those who are 6’4’ and able to lift a piano are likely to be successful in law enforcement. This simply isn’t true.

 In reality, whether you’re big or small, male or female, white or Latino or any other ethnicity, all you need is a strong desire to help others, to make a difference.

 As an example, I can assure you that the women I know in law enforcement have the physical traits they need to be successful officers, and many other helpful traits that often set them apart from their male counterparts.

 PoliceOne, a national police magazine, said that because female officers utilize a different policing style and rely less on physical force and more on communications skills, potentially violent confrontations are less likely to occur or escalate into excessive force situations. These communication skills also help female officers become excellent coaches and supervisors within police organizations. And significantly, these communication skills help decrease citizen complaints and civil lawsuits.

 Today, women represent nearly 12 percent of the police officers in the U.S. Clearly, we’ve come a long way in the law enforcement profession in breaking down stereotypes and encouraging both men and women from diverse backgrounds to consider careers in law enforcement.

So, how can you find out if this is a good career for you?

 A great first step is to schedule a ride-along with us. This gives you a front row seat, so to speak, so you can see for yourself what we do and how you might fit into our organization. You can find out more by visiting our websites, Facebook pages, or even giving us a call. We’d love to hear from anyone considering a career in law enforcement.

 If you have ever thought about a career in law enforcement, please give us a call. A career in law enforcement just might be a great fit for you.

 As always, our mission at UPD is simple: to make Ukiah as safe as possible. If you have suggestions on how we can improve please feel free to call me. If you would like to know more about crime in your neighborhood, you can sign up for telephone, cell phone and email notifications by clicking the Nixle button on our website: www.ukiahpolice.com. 

 

 


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