JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Law enforcement agencies all throughout our area are trying to hire now and on Saturday the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will host its own job fair at FSCJ’s north campus.
JSO is hoping to fill more than 100 positions despite recruitment challenges facing agencies across the country.
The sheriff’s office is trying to hire at least 65 corrections officers, 15 police officers, 40 civilians and fill 25 positions in its 911 dispatch center.
Dozens are making their way through JSO’s police academy right now.
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Markisha Williams and Kayla Kahre are recruits training to be police officers with JSO.
During their nine months of training they’ll do everything, from performing their ceremonial duties with the color guard, bookwork, and of course defense training.
“There’s a lot more PT but I love it. It helps me get into shape,” Williams said.
Police officers constantly put their lives on the line every day to help protect their community.
It’s dangerous work which is why Kahre is undergoing 700 hours of training so she can be better prepared to handle any sort of high stress situation.
“They do a great job of getting us through it and getting us as much information as they can,” Kahre said.
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Lt. Chuck Ford is the Unit Commander over recruiting and selection at the sheriff’s office.
He told Action News Jax the academy is always recruiting to keep any sort of staff shortage at a minimum.
Last year COVID-19 made it challenging for many agencies to bring on potential candidates since they couldn’t meet in person.
Another obstacle is finding people who are passionate about joining law enforcement, especially with the tension police officers are facing.
“We have people from other areas that they’re defunding the police and things like that. They’re (candidates) moving here. They’re coming to Jacksonville. They’re coming to Florida because they see opportunity and what they want to see is community support for law enforcement,” Lt. Ford said.
Williams said she joined the academy because she wanted to make a difference in Jacksonville.
“I’m all about problem solving so if I can help get into the community and help out with some of the issues that we’re currently experiencing here, then I know it’s definitely something that I want to do,” she said.
The young women will be graduating from the police academy in September on their way to becoming JSO’s newest officers.
JSO will be hosting its career fair Saturday, June 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Northeast Florida Criminal Justice Training Center located at 4715 Capper Road, Building P in Jacksonville.
For more information, visit www.JoinJSO.com.
JSO isn’t the only agency hiring.
In Clay County the sheriff’s office is looking to hire almost 50 positions, the majority for crossing guards and patrol openings.
In Nassau County, the sheriff’s office wants to hire 13 corrections officers, 10 in patrol, and three in the 911 dispatch center.
Meanwhile the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said it’s constantly hiring all positions agency wide.
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