FIVE POLICE POSTITIONS ARE VACANT

Wanted: Police recruits. Experience preferred, not necessary.

The Cape Girardeau police will hire five new officers over the next few months three to replace departing officers, two more if approved in the police budget by the city council.

In May 1988, the Cape Girardeau police hired five officers by holding a mass "tryout." Persons interested took a physical fitness test, a written test and went through an interview process.

There were more than 70 applicants, from which a select few were chosen.

But now, persons interested must apply through the Missouri Job Service for a position.

"Our Human Resources director will coordinate with the Missouri Job Service and we'll interview qualified applicants," said Cape Girardeau Police Chief Howard Boyd Jr.

To be eligible, applicants must be over 21 years of age, a high school graduate, in good physical condition and have no criminal record.

"Also, we ask that applicants be certified, but we won't turn the right person down if he or she is not," said Boyd. "We prefer to hire trained officers."

Southeast Missouri University offers an intense, 120-hour (three week) officer training seminar, taught by Mike Brown.

Boyd said that at times it can be difficult to hire an officer and then pay him to spend three weeks in a classroom.

After the recruit is certified, the Cape Girardeau police have special training sessions for the new patrolmen, such as training on how to determine when someone is intoxicated through a series of field tests.

Whatever the case, Boyd is actively seeking a replacement for one of his officers who is leaving the department Wednesday. The officer is going to work at Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Public Safety where he will have an opportunity to further his education.

"He's one of my best officers; I hate to see him go," Boyd said. "But I've already talked to a couple of people who are qualified to fill the position."

Boyd soon will have two more positions to fill. Two Cape Girardeau police officers have been hired by the Missouri Highway Patrol, and pending the positive outcome of physical examinations will leave at the end of April.

In addition, Boyd has asked that two new positions be funded by next year's police budget. If approved, the chief plans to move two veteran officers to the detective division, thereby concentrating more manpower on the drug market and other major crimes in the city.

"We don't want to get behind," Boyd said. "We're already stretched further than I'd like us to be."

The Cape Girardeau Police Department is an equal-opportunity employer. Those looking to apply should do so at the Missouri Job Service, 6 Cape Girardeau Court, 290-5766.