Oswego's proactive approach to police recruitment
On Tuesday, the Oswego Village Board approved a policy change that will allow more seasoned recruits to apply for positions at the Oswego Police Department. The policy change adds a lateral transfer program designed to attract applicants who have already worked as police officers in other communities.
The lateral transfer program will allow the Oswego Police Department to start the experienced officers at higher salaries but save on academy costs. It will also help get new officers out on patrol faster.
Nationally, police departments are facing an increasing shortage of police officers. With a population that continues to grow, the challenge to recruit highly qualified, diverse officers is even more acute in Oswego. About 43 percent of the Village?s patrol officers, many of whom were hired during the population boom of the 1990s and early 2000s, are planning to retire within the next five years.
The policy change is just one tactic the Oswego Police Department is implementing to build up its staff of sworn officers. In early 2020, the department launched a successful research-based marketing campaign to attract a stronger and more diverse candidate pool and encourage more women and people of color to apply.?Read more.?
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Other business conducted by the Oswego Village Board on Tuesday night:
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La Marimba to open in downtown Oswego.?The Board approved a liquor license for La Marimba, a Mexican restaurant that will be located in the former Firehouse Pizza, 65 W. Washington Street. Look for more announcements as the grand opening approaches.
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Services for downtown restaurants.?The Board also approved the establishment of a special service area for Block 11, the downtown block that includes the new La Marimba, the future Dairy Barn, and 113 Main. New developments on the block will pay into the maintenance of special infrastructure, like the additional parking lot and trash compactor, to support the growth of their businesses.?
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Honoring Herschel Luckinbill.?Village President Troy Parlier honored Navy veteran and local veterans advocate Herschel Luckinbill. Luckinbill, who chaired the Vietnam Moving Wall, served as an ambassador for Honor Flight Chicago, and worked tirelessly for veterans causes as a lifetime member of the VFW and president of the Fox Valley Veterans Club, is retiring out of state.?
Want more details? Visit our website for complete Agendas & Minutes and to Watch Meetings.?
Upcoming dates
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February 21-27: Try special menu items and support our businesses during?PrairieFest Restaurant Week!?
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Wednesday, Feb. 24: Historic Preservation Commission, 7 p.m.?
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Monday, March 1:?Police Commission, 5 p.m.
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Tuesday, March 2:?Oswego Village Board, 7 p.m. Watch online.?
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Wednesday, March 3: State of the Village address, 4 p.m. Watch live on?Facebook.
See everything happening around Oswego on our calendar.
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