Committee reviews proposal to let police aides with one year of service advance to officer recruit classes

The testing and recruiting committee discussed a proposed amendment to FPC rules that would let police aides move into police officer recruit classes after one year of service once they turn 21, instead of the current two‑year requirement.

Deputy director Jay Pusek explained the change responds to pipeline realities: staff no longer maintain long eligible lists and permitting police aides who have served at least one year to advance when they turn 21 would smooth transitions into recruit classes. Staff emphasized that police aides would still need updated background checks, pre‑employment medical/psych tests, drug screens and to pass the PRT before the academy.

Staff acknowledged an August job posting that mistakenly listed a one‑year requirement and said the posting error was not the impetus for the proposed rule change; rather, the change had been under consideration. Commissioners expressed mixed reactions: some worried shortening the requirement could weaken the police‑aid program’s training value, while others suggested focusing the police‑aid program on younger entrants and strengthening early training to retain those who remain for two years.

Staff said Milwaukee Police Department leadership supports the change. The committee asked staff to circulate redlines and return with the edited rule language and MPD feedback at the next meeting.