The Blytheville Police Department introduced its new police service technician program Feb. 8 during the police and fire committee meeting.
The program is designed to improve the department’s recruiting process and incentivize citizens who choose to participate. Sgt. Robin Haught-Angel and officer John Nelson explained the position as civilian workers who can work and perform certain tasks for the department under the age of 21.
“I did my instructional development last year and one of our huge topics of discussion was training a younger generation of law enforcement. We thought by bringing a PST Program together and [possibly] hiring somebody at 18 years of age, or even through ANC, would [help us to do so], “Nelson said.
“Citizens can actually collect evidence, work an accident and issue some city ordinance citation. There’s a lot they can do to supplement our patrol activities to help us. So by the time we get them to be a police officer, they are actually almost already trained.”
Haught-Angel added, “In doing this, it’s going to free them up for bigger activities. They won’t be just bouncing from one accident to another. It’ll be something we’ll be able to expand on with them being 18 and also give them a better understanding of the world they’re wanting to come into.”
“It will help the community understand we’re trying to grow as a department and implement these different things for those that want to be in law enforcement. When they want to do it, we want to nurture them.”
The program is looking to partner with the Arkansas Northeastern College Criminal Justice program as well. Nelson stated that the incentive for those students is a paying job with benefits and a position at the department upon graduation. “If they work with us and have a class during the day, they can just go to that class and come back after,” Haught-Angel said. “If they have to work and go to school, we want to help ease that burden so that they don’t have to pick one or the other.”
The committee also approved the purchase of four’22 Ford Interceptors for the department. The purchase will reach a total of $191,528 and is within the budget for the year. The official vote from the council will be conducted Feb. 15 at the next full council meeting at the Ritz Civic Center.