CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi Police Department is looking to add more officers to its force as they work to keep up with the city's growth.
Recent changes to officer pay went into effect last month thanks to a new collective bargaining agreement between the city and the Police Officers Association, something that will allow the department to be more competitive with other Texas cities.
The city is budgeting for nine additional officer positions to bring available staffing to 500 for the department. But as employees retire or leave for other cities, there are spots open.
Residents who are interested in getting a job as a police officer were given an inside look at what it takes to be a member of the force.
A career seminar was held Tuesday evening at the department's training center on Corona Drive.
Police say it's the first step to fill the need. Among those ready to get their foot in the door was 20-year-old Marcus Rosales.
"It's been in my family for a long time now, I've been a police explore for 6 years, it's kind of in the blood line," he said.
He's currently going through the application process and knew he wanted to get his start here at home.
"CCPD is probably one of the best police departments in the state of Texas, their training facilities, new everything top of the line, looking forward to being part of that team one day," he said.
Rosales was not the only one who attended the seminar. An extra classroom had to be opened to make room for those continuing to file in. Recruiter Imelda Rjasko said the 84th Police Academy for next summer just opened for applications, and, it's already more than she's seen before.
"We've had 350 already turn in," she said.
Rjasko said there are a variety of roles to serve within the department.
"So many people feel if you work at any police department all you do is patrol and that is not the case," she said.
One of the guests speakers. Assistant Chief Mark Schauer has been with the department for over 40 years and said that as the city grows, so does the need to keep up within the force.
"We lose on average over the years about 20 per year, retirement, and then we lose people for whatever reason ,try to keep up with that," he said.
Schauer said that CCPD having its own academy helps find the best of the best to fill vacancies.
"Our community is very supportive of police, you are not seeing what goes on in Austin, Philadelphia, Seattle, Portland, OR, a lot of places that have unrest," he said.
Schauer also commending the department's diversity initiatives.
"We've done a lot of hiring for females, around 80 female officers, population wise, very reflective of having mostly Hispanic population," he said.
When it comes to basic requirements, residents must be a U.S. citizen, have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 20-years-old by the start of the academy.
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