Retirements Leave Everett Police Struggling To Maintain Staffing Levels

New EPD officers

Mayor Ray Stephanson pins the badges on Everett’s newest Police officers. Alex Evanson (l) and Travis Taylor (r)

“Retirements accelerated quicker than we expected,” said Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson after he pinned badges on Everett’s two newest police officers at last night’s Everett City Council meeting. Alex Evanson and Travis Taylor both recently graduated from the Washington State Police Academy after being hired last August. Both are also military veterans. Those two officers along with six who are currently in the police academy still leave the Everett Police Department short of its authorized staffing levels. Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman told MyEverettNews.com recently that he hopes to hire more than 15 officers this year. In addition to openings on patrol, retirements have led to unfilled slots in various detective and specialty units. Templeman says that can be a good thing as officers coming onto the department can see they have a wide variety of assignments in which there is room to advance. In 2014 the department hired a total of 10 officers and so far this year 7 new officers have been hired. In a recent Everett Police YouTube Video Templeman explained it takes more than a year from the time an officer begins the application process to actually being hired and starting on patrol. “Right now it is our number one priority as a department…addressing and recruiting quality new police officers,” said Templeman. However Templeman also added, “While we have hired seventeen officers in the last year, we’ve also had an equal number if not greater number of retirements.”

As part of the stepped-up hiring process Everett Police are holding another round of testing this month. Written Exam – May 27; Physical Agility Test – June 13; Orals – June 15 & 16 for entry-level officers. The application deadline is 5:00pm this Friday, May 15th. You must be in excellent physical condition, a U.S. citizen, at least 21 years-old, possess a valid driver’s license, have a high school diploma or G.E.D., and be able to pass a background investigation. You can click here to see additional requirements, pay scales, the screening process and more.

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My Everett News is a hyperlocal news website featuring news and events in Everett, Washington. We also cover City of Everett information and items of interest to those who live and work in Everett.

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