03/11/08 = This week, police Chief David Ridberg and police will interview 16 candidates for five vacant police officer spots

The Greenwich Police Department's ranks fell to 143 officers, 13 below the recommended number of 156. police officials said

Recruiting for police officers picks up

By Martin B. Cassidy
Staff Writer

After facing a staffing crunch and shortage of qualified applicants two years ago, the Greenwich Police Department has netted dozens of eligible candidates for police officer with new recruitment efforts....

.... Of the 284 applicants for the job this winter, about half passed the physical fitness test to qualify to take the written exam, Mary Jo Iannuccilli, assistant director of human resources for the town said

"I think we did pretty well over all with the number of candidates who qualified for the written exam," Iannuccilli said. "We had a nice pool of candidates from which to choose."

Once offered the job, the candidates must also pass a psychological evaluation, a polygraph test, and pre-employment physical, Ridberg said.

The starting salary for a Greenwich police officer is $51,837. Officers earn $65,163 after five years....