Seven police officers have recently resigned from Prairie View A&M University’s Department of Public Safety.
David Webb, lieutenant of operations, said that the main reason for the resignations is the sudden change in the economy and the high gas prices.
Webb said that one officer was spending $400 a month on gas, while another was spending $750. With a family and jobs closer to home, “the officers are looking for better opportunities.”
“Prairie View is a great place to work,” said Webb, “Our standards are very high. Sixty hours of college is required.” Webb went on to say that the DPS wanted well-educated officers, and that even though other places have chosen to lower their standards, DPS has chosen not to. The Prairie View DPS has more officers than most schools, “We still have more right now.”
So far three new officers have come in, and DPS is still looking for more. DPS has advertised on the campus Web Site, and is now looking into advertising on the radio and using the Houston Chronicle. Webb suggests to criminal justice majors that they should come in and see about getting a job. “We’re looking for young, old, middle-aged .we’re looking for the best for you guys.” Webb also said that they wanted more people who students could relate to, ” If you’re a newly graduated criminal justice major, and you’re looking for a job, we’re hiring, so come on over.”
Webb said that criminal justice majors could learn every aspect of the field working with the DPS. The salary for an officer at the DPS is $30,500 a year, $14.66 an hour.