MEMPHIS, Tenn. — More than 140 applicants are expected to attend the 120th Basic Recruit Session with the Memphis Police Department.
The department said they were trying to beef up the police force.
The session is scheduled for this Saturday; just two days after Thursday’s announcement that officers may be getting a 3% pay raise.
The Memphis Police Department lost a number of its officers for many reasons.
Some retired.
Some left because of the city’s changes to benefits and the pension plan.
However, hundreds of applicants were still interested.
Lead Recruiter Kevin Moore said nearly 370 applicants applied.
Those attending this weekend’s class would be given a physical agility test and a written test.
The physical agility test consisted of completing a mile and a half in 15 minutes or less, and an intense obstacle course.
The department told WREG the course requires them to run up and down a flight of stairs, and jump a fence as well as other challenging exercises.
“They’ll complete that course two times and on the second time they’re going to pull a dummy, 160 pound dummy, about 16 to 20 feet backwards which simulates a rescue of an officer or citizen,” Moore said.
Moore said he expected the majority of the candidates to pass the tests and become officers with the Memphis Police Department.
If you are interested in joining the men in blue, the department is still accepting applications.
Moore said they’re looking to hire about 300 officers in the next two years.