Behind the Badge
Westminster police are making a push for more diversity in their ranks through a recruitment effort that targets career professionals and bilingual candidates.
WPD in recent months has put an emphasis on soliciting the best new employees through more community outreach and an improved multimedia platform.
An active Facebook page and a new recruitment video helps showcase some of the department’s best assets including its SWAT team, gang unit and crime scene investigators.
The department for the first time this year also had a booth at the Tet Festival at the OC Fair and Event Center in February to encourage more Vietnamese-Americans to consider a career in law enforcement.
Vietnamese-Americans account for nearly half of the city’s population, making it critical for the department to have a pulse on their culture and customs, police said.
“That was the first time we went directly into the Vietnamese community to actively recruit Vietnamese-American officers,” said Cmdr. Tim Vu. “The booth was very well-received, and we hope we had a positive impact.”
Westminster Police on Wednesday will also participate in the Job Diversity Fair in Anaheim, hosted by the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce, to attract bilingual officers and those with career experience.
“It is an opportunity for us to refocus our efforts and look at a different market for police professionals,” Vu said. “We’re looking to go out and re-brand ourselves in the community and attract professionals to look at law enforcement as a career choice.”
The job fair will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Business Expo Center,1960 S. Anaheim Way.
So what does it take to become a police officer with Westminster? Here’s a look at some of the basic requirements:
– Candidates must successfully complete a background investigation. Lying, illegal drug use, a misdemeanor or felony conviction, or poor financial records are among the things that may disqualify a person from becoming an officer.
– Applicants must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
– A college degree is preferred, but officers with a high school diploma or the G.E.D. equivalent may be hired.
– Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, have a valid California driver’s license and be at least 21 years old.
– Prospective officers must be physically fit with good eyesight and hearing.
Those interested in applying for a position with WPD can visit www.westminster-ca.gov. Applications are being accepted now, and the next written test will be held April 18.
