The seven -- six men and one woman -- range in age from 23 to 39. All have passed their psychological and physical tests, and been interviewed by Chief Kurt Wahlen. They will be sworn in by the City Clerk at 2 p.m. Monday in the Police Department auditorium.Just don't expect to see them patrolling Racine's mean streets any time soon. After a week here tending to administrative and human resource issues, being issued firearms, and getting fitted for uniforms, all seven will head to Northeast Technical College in Green Bay for 520 hours -- 13 weeks -- of recruit school training, followed by two more weeks of localized training here.
To become a police officer in Wisconsin, applicants must have completed at least 60 college credits. Although districts sometimes waive this requirement, Racine does not, according to departmental spokesman Sgt. Bernie Kupper. "They may have an associate's or bachelor's degree in anything under the sun," he said. As to their weapons experience, "they may never have hunted, handled a firearm or ridden in a squad car."
Officers earn $60,000 after two years. New recruits are paid 80% of that.
Today, the department has 193 officers, compared to its budgeted complement of 199. But this brief moment of being full-staffed won't last long: the department has one retirement scheduled for May 30, and two or three more during the latter part of June and July, according to Sgt. Kupper.
And after just 60 days we will be the same number we have now. (or damn close)
ReplyDeleteAnd I am told not to tell folks that the city of Racine is not interested in hiring the 200 officers Becker said he would keep on the force.
Are you telling me it takes YEARS to find the officers?
I think not
Hire the Police offers!
Tell the Illegals to go home
And what about the 30+ retirements happening within the next 18 months?? The dept. will be down to about 170 officers, but no one talks about that do they.
ReplyDeleteKurt Wahlen probably doesn't even know about the 30+ upcoming retirements. He didn't even know what the crime statistics in the city were!!!
ReplyDeleteHopefully they will hire a professional photographer to cover the ceremony since none of the Racine Police Departments cameras seem to work!
ReplyDeleteTo become a police officer in Wisconsin, applicants must have completed at least 60 college credits. Although districts sometimes waive this requirement, Racine does not, according to departmental spokesman Sgt. Bernie Kupper. "They may have an associate's or bachelor's degree in anything under the sun," he said. As to their weapons experience, "they may never have hunted, handled a firearm or ridden in a squad car."
ReplyDeleteThat statement really makes me feel safe. So some of these new recruits might have a degree in art and have never used a weapon before? It sounds like RPD uses the same recruiting firm that Unified used to find their Superitendent.
Also a concern to me is when these officers will actually hit the street. If te academy takes 13 weeks these officers will not be on the mean streets this summer. As many citizens know, summer is historically the worst time of year for Racine as far as crime is concerned. Great planning by Wahlen and his department not to have officers during the busiest time.
Wahlen needs to go! It is very obvious why he was not given the chief job 8 years ago. He should not be chief now either. Apparently the lack of qualifications that are in place for recruits also apply to the job of chief.
Can you provide names or biographies of the new officers?
ReplyDeleteThat's rich. An anonymous poster wants to know the names and biographies of the new police offiers.
ReplyDeleteYou first.
Alderman Helding - get with the program. If you were a taxpayer wouldn't you be concerned about unqualified people becoming police officers? Sgt. Kupper made the statement that these new recruits might not even have a degree in police science or a related field. Some might not have even held a gun before. That is a big concern to the public! Wake up!
ReplyDeleteI am also deeply concerned about Chief Wahlen and his "wild man" antics. He is clueless on the city's crime stats and he thinks purchasing 5 more cameras is a good use of taxpayer money. We already have 10 cameras that do not work! You can't possibly think that is rational, can you?
As an alderman, I would hope you would have more common sense and represent your constituents better. The people of Racine deserve better. We elected you to represent us and do what is best for the city.