Gallup Police seek recruits to fill 14-officer shortage

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

Gallup police recruit David Luginbuhl strides to the finish line, followed by Steven Mumford and Roderick Joe during the 300-meter sprint Tuesday at the Gallup Public School Stadium. The police department was conducting physical fitness testing for its recruits. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

GALLUP — The Gallup Police Department is offering a weekly recruitment session to entice residents to consider a career with the law enforcement agency that is currently short 14 officers.

During certain shifts, response time is slower to minor calls because of the recent decrease in manpower. Officials are subsequently working to recruit additional police officers to adequately staff each patrol shift.

Capt. John Allen, a spokesman for the department, said the agency is conducting weekly recruitment each Monday morning at the Public School Stadium on Grandview Avenue. The sessions begin at 8 a.m. with a physical fitness test.

Allen said the agency often loses many of its applicants during the strenuous physical fitness phase. Recruits must complete a 300-meter run, a mile run and a series of push-ups within the 40th percentile of their age group. On Monday, officials tested three recruits, while six recruits were tested on Tuesday.

Once an individual successfully completes the fitness portion of recruitment, they will be required to undergo a written exam, an oral interview and background check. The interviews are conducted by a sergeant, lieutenant and patrolman. The written exam tests basic mathematics and grammar skills.

Allen emphasized all interested parties have to do is show up to recruitment each Monday and do not have to submit an application prior to the session. Successful recruits will then undergo six months of training at the police academy in Santa Fe.

Sgt. Erin Toadlena-Pablo said police officials like to hire local residents because of their familiarity with the area; however, anyone who is interested is encouraged to apply regardless of their place of residency.

“Locals usually know the area and they know the people,” Toadlena-Pablo said.

Recruit David Luginbahl, 20, is one such local. He’s lived in the Gallup area since he was 3 years old.

“I figured being a police officer is a good way to help people and serve the community,” he said after he successfully completed a mile-run at the Public School Stadium Tuesday morning.

Luginbahl tested last year for a position with the department, but missed the mile run standard by only about 30 seconds.

“This time, I was determined to get it,” he said.

Toadlena-Pablo said the agency offers several benefits that include retirement after 20 years of service and positions within the agency’s detective, violent crimes and property crimes units. The police union and city officials are also in the midst of negotiations to increase city officers’ salaries.

“The contract is being looked at by the city manger at this moment and time,” Toadlena-Pablo said.

Information: Sgt. Melanie Padilla at (505) 863-9365.

Wednesday
August 22, 2007
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