Backing The Blue: Pasadena Police, Other Agencies Looking To Fill Ranks

PASADENA, TX -- Law enforcement agencies will be looking to fill out their ranks of a few good men and women in 2017.

Among those agencies who are hiring are the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, the Deer Park Police Department, League City Police, Pasadena Police and Pearland.

Officer retention has been among the challenges of Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset, who look to fill eight vacancies this year.

"Once we get an officer trained, they often pass through and are hired to go to other areas in the county or take higher-paying jobs with other agencies," Trochesset told the Houston Chronicle.

An entry level sheriff’s deputy earns $38,600, while other agencies, such as League City which pays substantially more for qualified peace officers.

According to a Houston Chronicle report, League City offers one of the most attractive salary packages, with entry level cadets starting out with a salary of $42,671 annually, which increases substantially to $51,774,94 after six months and $57,480 after nine months.

Many of the cadets receive training and certification at community colleges, such as San Jacinto College, Houston Community College and Lone Star College, but some agencies operate their own training academy.

Pasadena is one of those and is aiming to bring on 20 new officers this year to begin the 26 week training program.

Unlike many law enforcement agencies, Pasadena doesn’t offer a signing bonus to their officers, but the salary of more than $55,000 is among the most lucrative agencies.

Meanwhile, smaller law enforcement agencies such as the Dickinson, La Porte and the Deer Park Police departments are also hiring new officers.

"We get plenty of applications, but the recruiting process just takes time," Deer Park Police recruiting officer Sam Jammas said.

The Deer Park Police prefer a candidate to already have some experience and be a certified peace officer, but if they don’t the department sends them for training at Houston Community College or College of the Mainland, Jammas said.

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