Police To Hire Two Officers

Newtown Police Captain Joe Rios said this week that police are proceeding with plans to hire two patrol officers.

More than 100 applicants took a written examination for police officer, which was conducted by the town on April 17, Capt Rios said. Applicants who receive a passing grade in that exam will take physical agility tests scheduled for May 8, the captain said.

The police department is authorized to have 43 sworn officers on staff. Currently 41 of those positions are filled.

“We’d like to get up to full strength,” the captain said. The police department rarely has had a full complement of officers during the past decade.

The number of candidates vying for the two patrol officer positions will be further reduced following the physical agility testing.

Applicants who pass the physical testing proceed to oral interviews, which are conducted by a panel of officers from other police departments.

The Police Commission then interviews remaining applicants before making hiring decisions. Extensive background checks, a physical examination, psychological testing, and lie detector testing are used to screen job candidates.

The current annual starting pay for police patrol officers is $39,029, plus benefits. The officers’ salaries rise rapidly during their first five years of service.