PORTSMOUTH, Va. - If you do the same thing, you will get the same results - so, the Portsmouth Police Department is changing things up.
"We're working with the City of Portsmouth on really creating a brand new initiative," said Victoria Varnedoe, the Public Information Officer for the Portsmouth Police Department.
The goal is to hire new and qualified officers to patrol the streets.
The recruitment campaign, which kicks off November 2, will utilize a multi-media strategy, including implementing a more concerted effort on social media to tell stories that demonstrate the diversity in the types of work performed in law enforcement.
The department’s social media sites will be updated and used to reach out and maintain connections with interested individuals. Billboards will also be placed around town, and the department's website will receive a facelift.
Varnedoe said there are currently open positions across the board, and said new, sworn-in officers are eligible for a sign-on bonus.
"If you're an officer and you're already Virginia-certified and you want to come to us for a job, we'll offer you $1,500 after you’ve been sworn in," Varnedoe said.
The department is also offering incentives for city employees and community members. If you're an employee with the city, Varnedoe said you can receive up to $1,000, and if you're a citizen, you can receive up to $500 for helping police find qualified recruits that become sworn-in officers.
It's a needed boost for the City of Portsmouth after Police Chief Angela Greene was placed on administrative leave.
The shift in leadership came following Chief Green's decision to issue felony warrants against Senator Louise Lucas and other community leaders. The charges were in relation to a June Confederate monument protest where a man was injured.
Varnedoe said she's confident these events won't deter potential recruits. When asked if potential recruits should be concerned about the lack of an "official" chief, she said, "Our department really is a family, and we're really looking for new members to join our family. We're very close-knit. It's a small community, and we're very ready to see some fun, new people join us."
Recruitment materials will also outline other employment benefits, including paid annual leave, paid holidays, retirement plans and the opportunity for promotion after two years at the Portsmouth Police Department.
"There’s a lot of turmoil in this country, but I believe that we can all come together and try to make our town of Portsmouth the best it can be," Varnedoe said.
According to their website, the Portsmouth Police Department has 50 open positions. Click here to apply.
