Show Mesa police scout new recruits at Zachary Whitney Campus Reporter During last Mondays Monday's unexpected downpour police and highway patrol officials had their hands full assisting with numerous car accidents Among those Utah badges there were two yo officers with different badges on 1 I They were D Detectives Shane Anderson and nd Catherine Melis of the Mesa Ariz Police Department s Anderson and Mel Melis s were visiting Utah last week recruiting new officers for forthe forthe forthe the Mesa police department and ami ju just t happened to get caught behind one of th the accidents We jumped into action and were directing traffic said Melis The s were glad they were able to help on on th their rip to Utah Anderson and Mel Melis s are not hot strangers here They come come ome to Utah on an annual sometimes mes bi-annual bi basis to search for new applicants We Ve come to Utah because the applicants have a fwd h L I j S f r rN g is r f t I N 1 v I A J. J I r. r T Photo By Zachary Whiney Detective Catherine Melis and Detective Shane Anderson recruit for the Mesa Police Department at cleaner backgrounds and Melis We know career because there arc so many are more motivated said are more serious about a We love to come to Utah different places to recruit from said Anderson Plus everyone is so nice and sincere Melis added The s visited various universities and private criminal justice schools throughout Utah in their efforts to They also visit schools in California Nevada and the Northeastern states Utah is the most profitable sai said Anderson They said that for the class at their academy which starts Nov 6 they already have 8 people from Utah one of which is a student from willing and eager to begin The Mesa Police Department has the goal of recruiting new officers from now through 2007 with an ac academy demy class starting in February and another June The s s. s go to cities i r er to brO broade den their applicant po pool l. l Melis Metis explained that there are almost openings for officers in the Phoenix area Normally departments hire between four and five Mesa Continued on on Page 3 J Mesa J J Continued from Page 1 individuals Now they are hiring in the double digits Since being a police officer er is generall risk job b Anderson are looking for people who recognize that It takes a certain kind of individual to go out where they know there is a risk said Melis She said there are usually two kinds of people that become police officers The first enjoy working and helping people They are trying to make a difference somewhere The other is seeking a stable career with stable benefits Melis explained that she was the first She started college as asan asan asan an English major but law I enforcement has hasp has always been something slie v wanted tc to pursue She says that a career in law enforcement is a very stable job and there are great opportunities to advance as well as specialize in a certain field According to Melis the Mesa Police Department is very supportive of officers continuing their education They offer otTer a tuition reimbursement program to help their employees accomplish that According to the s a strong desire is all that is needed to become a police officer t is t t our n academy d emy is is' is for said Melis Interested applicants should fill out the application plan on an extensive background check and go to the police department for a written test I Ii r y YiT I and interview Successful candidates will then take a physical examination consisting of ups sit-ups pushups pushups pushups push push- ups and a one and a half mile run A psychological evaluation is also required I Anderson and Melis returned to Arizona on Friday however they say students' students interested in the i competitive exciting career career of criminal justice can still apply More information about being an officer for forthe forthe forthe the Mesa Police Department can be found at com or by calling Anderson at I |