Brookhaven Police Department is looking for someone with “good moral fortitude” to join the team.

The department is actively recruiting candidates to fill a level one police officer opening.

The department will host a recruitment seminar from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 2, for potential candidates who are not able to visit the station Monday through Friday during business hours, Police Chief Bobby Bell said.

“Basically, what we want to do is offer anyone who is interested in serving in our community the opportunity to learn what being a police officer is all about,” Bell said. “We want to tell them what policing is all about during the seminar and what we are looking for in an officer.”

The seminar will outline the duties and training the police candidate must undergo.

“We want to tell them what it takes to become a police officer,” Bell said. “Another important thing we want to share is, when you are interested, it’s not just about that one person. It is a family thing. Candidates need to understand that to be successful, their family must be involved and supportive.”

Candidates must:

•Be at least 21 years old

•Have a high school diploma

•Have a valid Mississippi driver’s license

•Have only minor driving offenses on their driving record

•Have a clean criminal history

•Be able to pass a 12-week basic Police Academy training class

•Be able to pass an extensive background check

•Possess good moral fortitude

In addition to the specific qualifications, Bell said he is looking to hire someone who is concerned about the community, not just themselves.

“We are short police officers in this community because once many get certified, they jump from here to there, especially if things are not the way they want it for themselves,” Bell said. “They can go anywhere. In Brookhaven, we do community policing. If you can’t handle the community concept, you can’t work for me. The citizens come first. We are part of this community and we want our officers to be as well.”

Benefits include medical insurance and Public Employees Retirement System of Mississippi. Starting pay for non-certified officers with no experience is $27,534 and for certified officers with a minimum of six months of experience is $30,402.26.

Those who want to apply for the position should attend the seminar on Saturday or contact Capt. Clint Earls at 601-833-2424.