NORFOLK, Va. — Police departments across the country are facing severe staffing shortages as they struggle to recruit and retain officers.
The Navy is no different.
There are dozens of vacancies at bases in Hampton Roads — 300 across the mid-Atlantic region — and the Navy is ready to hire on the spot.
Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic is looking to hire civilian federal police officers to work in 20 states, and 14 installations. They'll be placed from Hampton Roads to as far north as Maine... and as far west as Illinois and Wisconsin.
"We're looking to fill 75 vacancies for police officer, security officer and regional dispatchers," said Naval Air Station Oceana Precinct Commander Lieutenant Colonel Nicole Doxey.
She said the Navy has adjusted its entry requirements, too.
"We recently changed the requirement of the age requirements. It's no longer 21. It's 18 years old. We've actually equalized the standards. Masters-at-arms come into the Navy at 18 years old and they're allowed to carry weapons. So, we just did the same for civilians," she said.
Applicants must also be a U.S. citizen, possess a valid U.S. driver's license, have no felony convictions and be able to obtain a security clearance.
Starting pay can range from $40,000 to $65,000, and there is a hiring incentive bonus of up to $20,000.
Candidates can be hired on the spot at a hiring fair this Saturday, October 21 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. It runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Applicants are instructed to bring resumes and references with them.