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The department has begun recruiting new officer candidates to fill at least five positions, with perhaps as many as 12 positions over the next year or more, according to officials.
Starting salaries for officers begin at more than $59,000. An applicant must be a U.S. citizen and have a high school or equivalency diploma. They also must be at least 21 years old, have a Connecticut driver's license and live within 40 miles of Norwalk police headquarters (upon hiring). Additionally, applicants cannot have any felony or Class A or Class B misdemeanor convictions.
The next officer’s exam is scheduled to Aug. 10, but applicants must register online no later than Aug. 5 at www.policeapp.com (click the link for the Norwalk Police Department). The cost is $62, which includes the registration fee ($50) and the processing fee ($12). The $50 may be waived due to financial hardship.
In addition to online form and fees, applicants must also fill out a Complete Health and Injury Prevention form and pay an additional $65 for the C.H.I.P. assessment. The assessment is a test of physical health, agility, strength and endurance, and includes a 1.5-mile run and various calisthenics. Meriden-based C.H.I.P. administers the assessment at different times during the year, and provides dates and times to the candidates.
Information packets on the exam, forms and C.H.I.P. assessment are available in the lobby of the Norwalk Police Department, located at 1 Monroe St., or can be found online at www.norwalkpd.com.
According to Lt. Brian Cunningham of the department’s Training and Recruitment Division, the last time Norwalk gave the exam in June 2011, more than 350 candidates applied.
“Advice I would give for the exam is study preparation with exam prep books and general academics,” said Cunningham. “The exams have questions relating to reading comprehension, vocabulary and grammar, math, and general problem solving. In the past applicants have stated they had problems on the math-related questions, especially if they’ve been out of school for a while.”
Chief Thomas Kulhawik said the department will host informational sessions during the summer, before the exam, to help guide prospective applicants through the process.
Because the department is internationally accredited and works hard to have a force that mirrors Norwalk’s demographics, women and minorities are encouraged to apply, the chief added.
“We are looking for individuals who have a true passion for the profession,” said Kulhawik. He said he would like to see candidates who are committed to providing excellent community service, community policing ability and customer service to the residents of Norwalk.
“We will be looking for candidates who demonstrate these qualities in their background investigation and oral interviews,” said Kulhawik.
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