March 13, 2008 EmailPrintTalk BackRegisterRSSWhat's This

Ariz. squad used as recruiting tool

By Brett Garber
The Arizona Republic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Scottsdale Police Department has turned to a recruitment vehicle to attract new applicants.

Photo courtesy Scottsdale PD

The department had a Dodge Magnum station wagon custom designed to attract attention.

Encrypted on the vehicle is the slogan that officers created themselves. It reads, "What did you do yesterday? See what you can do today."

Also on the car, and printed very large, is the phone number and Internet address for those who are interested in becoming officers.

"Wherever it's parked, it's basically a mobile billboard," said Greg Carlin, the head recruitment officer in Scottsdale. Carlin also is the driver of the car. He takes the vehicle everywhere he goes.

"It's a conversation starter," Carlin said. "People go by and take pictures of it."

It not always is the person that sees the car who is affected, Carlin said. "It has caught on by word of mouth."

At the end of every test given recruits, there is a survey that asks why they decided take the test. Carlin said that on the latest round of tests, three recruits specifically mentioned the recruitment vehicle as their reason for attempting the exam.

"There could have been even more that just neglected to mention it," Carlin said.

Inside, the vehicle is like any other squad car, except there is no cage in the rear seat for prisoners. But the officer driving the special car has the same authority on the road as any other squad car.

The car was put into commission a few months ago, and Carlin said it has been a success. It is difficult to measure in numbers just how well it is doing, but Carlin insists that it has certainly helped.

The vehicle replaced a recruitment van that Carlin said, "Had done its time."

Copyright 2008 The Arizona Republic

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