Cambridge looking for a few good police officers

Two weeks ago, seven new recruits graduated from the police academy and became Cambridge police officers.

Now, Cambridge is looking for more officers to fill the ranks after more than half the potential recruits didn't make it through the academy.

"We tried to get 17. I think we lost about six or seven through the physical ability test and four withdrew in the academy," said Police Commissioner Robert Haas.

Now Haas is looking to hire 10 more officers from surrounding police departments. The process, known as "lateral transfers," has netted the city 48 resumes from police officers wanting to work in Cambridge.

Cambridge is in the fortunate position of being a popular choice for lateral transfers, according to Haas. In Wellesley, for example, job listings for lateral transfers have only yielded a handful of resumes in the past, according to Sgt. Marie Cleary, spokesperson for Wellesley Police.

Haas has pledged if he doesn't find 10 "excellent candidates" from the pool of resumes, he plans to compensate by hiring more new recruits when the next police academy class starts May 1.

<p style="text-indent: 0in"> The seven new recruits are currently going through a two-week orientation at the department. After that, the recruits will patrol on foot in the neighborhoods and squares, such as Harvard Square, for four weeks with an experienced police officer who will serve as a mentor during their field training.

"It's going to be the holiday season, so it's always good to have more officers in the business districts," said Haas.

In the past, new officers would only have one to two weeks of orientation before receiving patrol assignments. Haas, who was hired as the new police commissioner in April, said the change would give recruits up to eight weeks of on-the-job training.

The recruits' mentors also had to attend one week of training to oversee the recruits during the new program, according to Haas.

The new recruits were hired June 4 and graduated from the Lowell Police Academy Nov. 16 after spending 24 weeks being tested on physical fitness, academics, defensive tactics and patrol procedures.

New recruits

The following officers recently joined the Cambridge Police Department:

Jason R. Callinan

Matthew Price