Over the past several weeks, I’ve been involved in the process to eventually hire an individual to replace a police officer position that has been vacant for some time. Northfield’s process is unique in that it involves members of the community in the interview process as well as using a civil service commission.
It is encouraging to meet individuals interested in pursuing a career in policing. It is also heartening to hear what they feel they can contribute to the well-being of a community. The numbers of students in criminal justice programs and career development programs to get ready for a career in policing, corrections, probation, legal or the courts, is higher now than in recent times. The interest in criminal justice will provide a pool of talented people to meet the needs of the next generation. Jobs in this field do not compete financially with their private sector counterparts. This speaks well of the willingness of so many to devote their careers to public service.