By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper says the department is working to make the police force align more closely with the city’s demographics. That means hiring more minorities. Hooper made his comments during the Hutchinson Human Relations Commission meeting on Wednesday.
“This is an area that has been extremely challenging for law enforcement especially over this last year,” Hooper said. “We have been very outspoken and very open with trying to recruit individuals from our community and individuals that represent our demographics.”
Hooper says the department is having trouble matching up the demographics because so few apply, but he is having success in other areas.
“We have eight or nine Hispanic officers in the agency,” Hooper said. “I only have three black officers currently, so that’s been a struggle.”
Hooper noted that last year out of more than 100 applications, only one came from someone who is black. Hooper says he is looking to outside agencies for help and offered a challenge at the same time.
“One of the things that we have really tried to do is reach out to the NAACP and organizations like that and say, 'can you help us connect with these individuals?'” Hooper said. “People want to effect positive change in law enforcement, come be a part of the solution, and so we’re really trying to encourage that.”
Hooper says the department is also working to provide incentives for officers who have special skills, including the ability to speak multiple languages and other education that would be beneficial to the force.