North East ISD (NEISD) gets creative in effort to recruit and retain more officers to the North East Police Department (NEPD). Instead of waiting for officers to come to the District, the District is going straight to the source to hire the best, first. North East Police Chief Wally McCampbell is now going to police academies in the area and recruiting cadets directly.
“They are just finishing some of the most rigorous training they are ever going to get,” said McCampbell. “If we can get them to work for NEPD as soon as they graduate, they get a chance to really make a difference in the community from day one.”
Academy visits are the first step of this new incentive plan. NEISD is also offering to cover the cost of the police academy for any cadets who agree to a three-year commitment with NEPD after they graduate from the academy. That means, thousands of dollars will go back in the pockets of new recruits as soon as they start at NEPD.
The goal of this innovative incentive is to make sure NEISD hires officers who are ready to not only serve and protect students and staff now, but officers who are ready to invest in this community for years to come.
“School policing is different,” said McCampbell. “Getting to know your community is key. You can only do that with time and consistency. The more students see an officer, the more comfortable they are going to that officer for help. On top of that, these officers will get to know these students and have a better idea if something is going on with them. Our goal is that these new recruits will become fixtures in these communities for years to come.”
“It takes all of us to make a difference and keep our schools safe,” said NEISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sean Maika. “The hope is new ideas like this will truly create a sustainable pipeline of men and women who become officers to protect and serve students and teachers.”
Learn more about NEPD by visiting neisd.net/police.
