In 1995 when Andrew Sullivan applied for a job with Warwick Police, he was one of about 700 on the list of qualified recruits.

Now all these years later and as a major in the department, Sullivan says the department, “has been struggling for staffing for awhile.”

The department is budgeted for 175 officers, but is shy of that number by 10. Vacancies are projected to grow even larger with upcoming retirements.

But as Warwick Chief Col. Bradford Connor points out even if there was enough qualified candidates to fill all the slots, there wouldn’t be sufficient openings at the state academy to train them.  At most, he said, Warwick would get four and possibly five into the academy class starting in January.  So as not to lose potential candidates, Connor is exploring the department running its own academy.

Before making any commitments, Mayor Frank Picozzi wants to hear what it would cost taxpayers.  Nonetheless, Picozzi acknowledges filling municipal positions is difficult. He said he’s been laughed at for the starting pay for city auto mechanics and other jobs even though in addition to pay, employees receive good benefits and have job security.

As it turns out, a Warwick run academy may not cost the department very much. A number of academy instructors are Warwick officers.

Sullivan was working on the numbers Friday.

There’s more to running a training academy than cost.  The academy curriculum would demand the approval of the Rhode Island Commission of Police Officers Standards and Training [POST]. Sullivan said a Warwick academy would pretty much “mirror” the state academy only that because of fewer numbers it would take less time to complete. He said Warwick has the personnel and the expertise to run its own academy.

It appears a Warwick academy wouldn’t save the city money as there is no charge at the municipal academy. Yet it could. Warwick could respond more quickly to those considering the department, thereby filling vacancies and reducing overtime costs.

Prior to 2007 the state ran three academies a year, which has been reduced to two, one starting in July and a second beginning in January. The city has also changed its method of recruitment. Rather than establishing a list of possible recruits that is good for two years and drawing down from it when there is a vacancy, the department is virtually recruiting nonstop. Sullivan explained the use of an app enabling those interested in a job with Warwick Police to submit an application at any time. He said the city averages about 80 applicants annually.

“It’s a much smaller pool,” he said adding, “If we don’t move they go elsewhere.”

According to the department website, “Recruitment events will be held on a biannual schedule to coincide with the two Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy sessions. The written exams will be conducted in January and July. Specific dates for these events will be included in an automated email you will receive following the submission of your application. All applicants must have successfully passed an agility test with either Fit to Serve or Certify Fit prior to taking the written exam.”

Sullivan also remarked on a shift in the perception of police and police work from the days he was a recruit.

“We get a 1-2 punch,” he said of recruiting efforts. He points to the tight labor market and although not as vocal cries for police reform and defunding police. Sullivan listed advantages of the Warwick department including the opportunity to move within the department. Starting pay is $52,000 which includes health insurance [$32 weekly co-pay for a single and $76 for a family plan], a HSP or Health Savings Plan and “generous” time off.

Asked about retirement benefits, Sullivan said, “I think it’s comparable if not better than most department.” Eligibility for retirement was 20 years, but bumped up to 25 years in 2012.

Sullivan believes it’s worth the effort for Warwick to run its own academy although he can’t say for how long.

“We have the personnel to run an academy. We would be more than able to conduct our own,” he said.