“We want to encourage and assist any interested persons regardless of their educational achievements,” said Sergeant James Gildea as he pointed out the availability of jobs and career options for potential candidates with college degrees and for those with only a high school diploma.

“This type of recruitment is unprecedented,” said Captain John Bey, senior recruitment specialist for the State Police. “We’ve never attempted outreach specifically in urban areas, but this is what it is all about—we have to build healthier relationships in the community before we can expect actual results from recruitment efforts.”

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. representatives of the Pennsylvania State Police Troopers, State Civil Service Commission, Liquor Enforcement, Forensic Services, and State Fire Marshall were all present in an effort to promote and express the State Police Departments’ commitment to diversity by attempting to interest women and minorities in careers in law enforcement.

“It is my personal mission to continue these recruitment efforts in urban and all neighborhoods for as long as I am director of recruiting,” Bey said. “I want the Pennsylvania minorities to feel like they’re looking in the mirror when they call on [the law officers]. Law enforcement will reflect the percentage of minorities.”

ONE OF A FEW—Trooper Mat Harris is one of the few African-American state troopers.

Aboard the Department of Corrections Mobile Recruitment Unit, an approximately 30 foot bus, were five stations with laptops granting access to the DPC website. Interested individuals were able to sit at a station and explore any and all the civil service jobs available, including 87 careers in corrections. Additionally, the site disclosed all the necessary testing information and opportunities based on selected career paths.

With their mobile unit, the state police plan to visit as many counties and neighborhoods in the commonwealth as possible.

Right now law enforcement numbers do not. In fact, the number of minorities employed by law enforcement is at an all time low. Bey assured it’s not because law enforcement doesn’t want minorities, but more so because minorities have a negative depiction of law enforcement and are apprehensive about putting their life on the line in the call of duty.

 “You don’t have to be a police officer or a state trooper to work with [law enforcement],” Bey said. “There are plenty of civilian jobs available that a lot of times appeal to women.  As long as you have a commitment to service, a desire to obtain full dental and medical benefits, a 401-k plan, and a 20-year retirement plan, we can find the right position for you.”

In regard to the demand for African-Americans and minorities, Donna Ratulowski, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ Agency Recruitment Coordinator said, “The African-American inmate population is high, so we strive for a staff population that will balance the ratio.”

Curtis Boyd, Lead Community Resource Officer of Port Authority Transit commented, “I was the first of my family to become a police officer.  It was a field that my family as a whole frowned upon, but now they accept it and as a long time resident of the Hill District, I’m trying to help improve the community relationship with law officers, but it requires effort from both sides.”

“There are just so many crooked cops out here,” said Kellen Allen of the North Side. “And unfortunately, it seems Blacks are much more acquainted with [those kind of officers] than any other race here in Pittsburgh at least. That’s why I’m interested in becoming an officer—to change that stereotype of all cops being crooked. As a Black male I want to show the public otherwise.”

(For more information regarding employment with the State Police Enforcement visit www.patrooper.com.)