Wheeling Police Department Hosts Career Open House
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WHEELING - Officials at the Wheeling Police Department said they were pleasantly surprised by the turnout Wednesday night when they hosted the first career open house at the new police headquarters in Center Wheeling for those interested in becoming a police officer.
The open house was held from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at the 2115 Chapline St. facility - a building on the former campus of the Ohio Valley Medical Center that was completely renovated to become the city’s new, state-of-the-art police headquarters.
Several officers from different divisions within the police department were available during the open house to speak one-on-one with visitors and answer any questions they had about various positions and the paths it takes to get there.
Lt. Josh Sanders, Special Operations commander, helped organize the open house event.
"It was a good turnout - I’m happy with it," Sanders said, noting that the event was a great opportunity for prospective recruits to get to know more about a career in law enforcement. "They get to see the work environment here and ask first-hand questions to all these officers about the entire process - from taking the test to training to become a K-9 officer. All of these folks are here to answer those types of questions so that people know what they’re getting into from the beginning."
Ethan Banks from St. Clairsville was one of several young adults who attended the open house on Wednesday night and took a tour of the new Wheeling Police Department Headquarters.
"I’m a student at Wheeling University, and I’m a criminal justice major," Banks said. "This is my first time here. I just kind of wanted to come here and learn a little more about police work."
In addition to police officers, representatives of the human resources staff were also on hand to answer employment and benefit-related questions, and to assist individuals who were looking to submit their applications.
Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger noted that the department currently has about a dozen vacancies. Police officials reached out to all of the local colleges and universities, high schools and news media to help spread the word about the open house.
The department has been actively working to fill vacancies in recent years. Officials have been hopeful that the opening of the new $8.65 million headquarters - with new furnishings, equipment and technology included, and the city’s new assigned vehicle program - with each officer getting their own take-home police cruiser, would help incentivize recruitment.
Deputy Chief William Noice, Patrol Operations Commander, leads a group of prospective recruits on a tour of the new Wheeling Police Department Headquarters in Center Wheeling. The department hosted its first career open house Wednesday night, when those interested in law enforcement careers were able to ask questions and get a behind-the-scenes look at police work. (Photo by Eric Ayres)
New prospects need to go to the police academy, but for law enforcement officers who are already certified in West Virginia - or if the state of West Virginia recognizes their out-of-state certification - a $20,000 signing bonus is offered by the Wheeling Police Department. Schwertfeger said that bonus is offered because those individuals get to forgo the police academy and can hit the ground running.
But everyone seeking a career in law enforcement is encouraged to check out what the Wheeling PD has to offer.
"I would be the first to admit that I’d love to see some more minority officers and more female officers," the police chief said. "We need good, solid young people who find an interest in law enforcement."
Schwertfeger noted that the turnout for the open house was well attended, and in fact during the first 45 minutes of the event, about 70% of the people coming through the door were young women.
Per West Virginia law, the age range for new applicants to become police officers is 18 to 40, as of now, Schwertfeger noted. Legislation may actually raise that age range in the future, officials indicated.
The Wheeling Police Department’s next civil service test is set for Saturday, Feb. 17. Applications can be filled out online by visiting wheelingwv.gov/policejobs or by calling 304-234-3694. It will be a basic civil service process with a physical fitness assessment and a written test given to those who pass their physical fitness portion.
For those who missed the open house but are still interested in a career with the Wheeling Police Department, the chief urged prospective recruits to reach out.
"Please get on our website or the city of Wheeling’s website," he said. "Call us - I’d be happy to personally talk to someone who has questions. We’ll even schedule something where they can come down here and take a look around. But at the very least, get your application in. We’re testing again Feb. 17, and we can talk more then and answer any questions."