Salem Police like other law enforcement departments is struggling to get candidates to apply for upcoming testing for future openings. Two of Salem’s younger patrolmen want to point out in Salem there are lots of positives to being a police officer as well as being a good-paying career.
Grant Green sees the positive side of the job each day.
“Overall the police support in Salem is not like most of the other world right now with the news media. It’s very positive. We hear a lot of positive feedback from citizens daily. It’s a very noble profession and a thankless job. And you don’t just deal with bad guys. The main thing is that you are showing up on most people’s worst day, and you are just trying to make it a little better.”
Both Green and Patrolman Ian King say the public is appreciative of their assistance.
“We have a supportive community and what attracted me is it’s not a desk job. You can go out and drive around and every day is different. You are always getting different calls and learning every day how to be a better police officer. And we get to help people every day get out of situations they don’t want to be in.”
The salary begins at approximately $50,000 before overtime, with paid vacation, sick leave and holidays, 12-hour shifts with every other weekend off, free employee health, dental and vision, and retirement pension. along with ample training and overtime. Police officers are allowed to live within a radius of 30 miles around Salem.
Those 21 to 35 years of age are eligible unless they have prior law enforcement experience.
The Salem Police Department also offers some special opportunities including the patrol unit, S.W.A.T., criminal investigations unit, drug task force agent, school resource officer, bike patrol, and specialty investigative task forces.
More information and applications are available at salemil.us/police-department. The deadline to apply is Monday.
