Aspiring police officers had the opportunity to learn about the Memphis Police Department’s hiring process and apply to join the force during a hiring expo Saturday, April 8, at the MPD headquarters at 170 N. Main Street.

MPD started the hiring expos in 2022, making Saturday’s 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. event their fifth in under two years. 

A valid driver’s license was the only requirement to participate. Attendees had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with officers about the police training process, medical benefits, retirement packages and apply to be an MPD officer via an online application. More than 100 laptops were onsite and available for attendees to apply. 

MPD looking for patrol officers and other positions at hiring expo Saturday

MPD Public Information Officer Theresa Carlson said having computers available for applicants to fill out the multi-page form is important, since internet access can be a problem for some job candidates. “Imagine filling out this application on a smartphone.” 

According to the City of Memphis Data Hub, the department currently has 1,958 officers on the force. The MPD’s goal is to reach 2,300 officers by year’s end. 

Carlson said the ideal police recruit candidate is a person of integrity who wants to make a difference in their city.

“The best thing is to be someone who cares about their community, because we see people on some of the worst days of their lives,” Carlson said. “You have to be able to be empathetic and be a problem solver; someone who can listen and talk to people.”

After completing the application, applicants walked across the trolley tracks to City Hall at 125 N. Main Street for their e-skills test, a 35-minute exam in reading comprehension, math and problem solving.

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According to MPD Lieutenant Dionne Rogers the test is geared toward a high school graduate level assessment. Applicants must score 70% or above to pass. 

Jaylon Rhodes, 23, passed his e-skills test with a score of 93%. Rhodes said he is considering a job in law enforcement for job security and medical benefits. 

“Let’s say I go and get a degree, what if I’m not able to do what I’m looking to do?” Rhodes said. “For me personally it’s having benefits, plus it’s easy for you to be able to come to work, do your job, and go home. At least for the most part.”

Rhodes called the chance to be a police officer a “good opportunity” and said public perception of police work and officers themselves can be a tricky issue.

“I think a lot of people think in extremes,” Rhodes said. “Some don’t think about the fact that this is a person doing their job, and they also want to go home.”

Rhodes said he feels police recruitment standards are fair but conducting more extensive background checks is not a bad idea. 

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“Maybe in the past you were gang-affiliated or something,” Rhodes said. “In that case, you need a deeper background check. Generally, I think the standards are pretty good.”

Rogers is the supervisor of backgrounds and police recruiting for the department. Rogers’ job involves ensuring detailed background checks for all MPD applicants and takes into account any criminal history, education, work history, work references and more. 

“We want good moral standards, clean records, we want good candidates to be the best in blue,” Rogers said. “We want candidates who are smart, funny, empathetic, charismatic. Brave and fierce.”

Rhodes noted being a police officer can be a bridge builder for other career opportunities and that the job is in high demand.

“Maybe you want to save money and go to college,” Rhodes said. “Plus, it’s not going to get better if you say ‘no, let’s not be police officers.’ There has to be police officers.”

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Standing outside the front doors of 125 N. Main, applicant Treshun Bates, 27, said he was met with opposition from friends after mentioning he was going to the expo — something he expected.

“People look at the badges like ‘I don’t respect that,’ but look at the person behind the badge that makes it,” Bates said. “You have to change your mindset and look at it a different way.

“It’s not about their skin color, or anything else. It’s about the individual.”