Latest Guides

TOP STORY

As Police Face Hiring Crisis, Fire Chief Fills Vacancies With Relative Ease

Published on Thursday, May 21, 2015 | 5:27 am
 
Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington

While the Pasadena Police Department is struggling to fill vacancies and keep qualified officers from transferring out, the Pasadena Fire Department has filled a dozen openings and Fire Chief Bertral Washington is now looking to fill two new deputy chief positions he began advertising this month.

“I am confident we can fill those positions,” said Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington. “We are eager to see how many people are going to participate in that recruitment.”

In sharp contrast, the Pasadena Police Department is facing what some personnel call an “imminent crisis” because experienced personnel are leaving for jobs in other cities that have higher pay scales.

In March, 150 officers, sergeants, lieutenants and family members demonstrated at City Hall, imploring the city’s leaders to “Save Our Police Department.” Members of the Pasadena Police Officer’s Association and Pasadena Police Sergeant’s Association went before the city council and City Manager Michael Beck where a representative said that the department is underpaid, understaffed and has eroding morale, due to the compensation woes.

“We are asking the city’s help because we are not competitive,” said Sergeant Bobby Crees, who spoke on behalf of the demonstrators.

Despite funding for 260 officers, the police department was fielding only 239 at the time of the demonstration. More than two dozen officers have reportedly applied for jobs in other police departments.

The Pasadena Fire Department has been operating at a below-budgeted staffing level for some time as well, but for a different set of reasons.

Last year, when former Chief Calvin Wells announced his retirement, a number of positions were reportedly not filled in deference to any new incoming chief.

Chief Washington said one of his very first actions was to hire 12 new firefighters — which was quickly accomplished. The dozen trainees are completing screening and Washington said they should begin fire academy training and certification in June.

Applications for the two deputy chief positions currently advertised are being accepted until June 7. Washington said he has seen significant “chatter” among service professionals about those jobs and has a contingency plan to close the applications process early if a large number of prospects apply.

Meanwhile, at the police department, a new compensation arrangement designed to keep current officers from leaving and to attract qualified officers to apply has reportedly been in discussion for weeks.

“The city and unions are still working to firm up the agreement,” Chief Sanchez said earlier this month.

 

 

Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.

Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.

Make a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

 

 

buy ivermectin online
buy modafinil online
buy clomid online
buy ivermectin online