City Seeking Police Officer Applicants

Starting Wednesday, the city of San Fernando will begin reviewing applicants to fill vacant spots for officers on the police force, officials said.

The recruitment period will be open until Oct. 31 or until the city receives 200 applications, whichever comes first, officials said.

Those interested in joining the department must apply in person and meet a number of criteria. Among the requirements are a high school diploma or equivalent, a California Class C driver’s license, normal hearing, and sight no worse than 20/80 that is correctable to 20/20 with normal color and peripheral vision.

Applicants must be 21 or older and U.S. citizens or must have applied for citizenship at least one year prior to Oct. 15. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply and bilingual Spanish-speaking abilities are highly desired, officials said.

Candidates selected from the recruitment will be required to successfully complete a certified academy training course.

“The people that we hire from this will be cadets, police trainees,” said Michael Okafor, personnel analyst with the city. “The training lasts from three to six months and, if they pass, they will be brought on as officers.”

Applications may be obtained at the personnel office in City Hall, 117 Macneil St.

In other city news, Mayor Raul Godinez II announced this week the appointment of John Becker to the new position of education deputy.

Becker, who now serves as the city’s planning commissioner, will hold the unpaid position as a liaison between schools and the mayor and monitor improvements being financed by Proposition BB, Godinez said.

“The educational performance of our kids is a concern to all,” Godinez said, “however, it is of particular concern to us in the city of San Fernando, where half our population is 24 years or younger.”