The Sarnia Police Service is no longer accepting applications for its future auxiliary constable unit.
The organization held a few information sessions recently to attract candidates.
Deputy Chief Julie Craddock said the process has now closed.
"The recruitment team is currently reviewing the applications of the people that have applied to be an auxiliary constable, making sure that they meet those minimum requirements that are set out," said Craddock. "From there we're going to be inviting applicants into the next phase, which will be interviewing, doing psychological testing and background investigations."
Craddock said the response has been encouraging.
"We are very happy with the number of applicants that we've received and are hopeful that we're going to be able to put a class together in the next couple of weeks so that they can begin that auxiliary training and be ready to graduate in the fall," she said.
Craddock couldn't disclose an exact number of applicants, because of other recruitments underway.
"We were also running a special constable application process and a police sworn member recruitment drive," Craddock said. "So, we have quite a few [applications] in between all three. I have been told by recruitment officers that they were pleasantly surprised with the number of people that have applied, with the interest in the community and we're really looking forward to getting to the next phase of that process."
Craddock said although they've been authorized for up to 20 members, the first group will be smaller.
"Our goal initially was to start with a recruit class of 10," she said. "We have the capacity to go above that if we have qualified applicants that would be a good fit for the organization and the community. We're also prepared to start with a smaller class if we don't have enough candidates that meet those requirements, and then just continue to build from there."
After training, each auxiliary member will help about 12 hours per month.
They'll assist officers on patrol, with R.I.D.E. [Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere] programs and at community events.
