Several Agencies To Take Part In Law Enforcement Hiring Event At Tulsa Fair Grounds

Agencies all over the Tulsa area are looking to hire police officers, deputies, and state troopers with hundreds of job openings. Tuesday, more than a dozen agencies got together and held a job fair at Tulsa's fairgrounds. 

Haley Metcalf just got out of college in December and it's always been her dream to be a police officer and she's hoping to make her dreams come true today. "Being able to go out there and help people I think that's an amazing job. You can help people in a lot of ways being teachers, and doctors, but a police officer is very hard hitting out there. So it's really what I want to do," said Metcalf.

She said since the sixth grade Metcalf has known she wanted to be a police officer. The 13 agencies at the job fair are looking for people just like her. 

"The need has just continued to grow over the last several years. We've seen a lot of retirements, people leaving just the field in general to go do other things. So the need has just gotten more critical," said Deputy Justin Green.

Tulsa County Deputy Justin Green said even with offering higher pay, law enforcement agencies are having a hard time hiring enough people to fill their vacant positions. Some departments need hundreds and others, just a few, but they say all the openings are essential. "Because we're a smaller department three officers makes up a large part of our officers out on the street. So we've got to get aggressive with our hiring processes," said Lieutenant Jody Fogleman with the Sand Springs Police Department.

Each department has different requirements and different incentives, which means there are plenty of options for candidates. "I really want to be a police officer so I'm hoping one of these are a good candidate for me," said Metcalf.

If you missed the job fair you can apply for the positions online through each department's website.