BEND, Ore. -- Finding qualified police officers and sheriff's deputies has gotten tougher in Central Oregon, mostly because those who want a job in law enforcement often fail to make the grade.

kgw.com Graphic

"The standards for police officers have gone up significantly in the last 20 years, and finding the right person for the job is a challenge," said Prineville Police Chief Eric Bush. "We just don't get the kind of applicants we used to."

The lengthy hiring process includes medical, physical fitness and psychological testing as well as an extensive background check that many applicants simply do not pass.

"The applicants we are seeing for our department are not meeting our standards," said Bend Police Chief Andy Jordan.

"We have seen the number and quality of applicants declining," added Capt. Tim Edwards of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.

The Oregon State Police are looking to hire 155 troopers in the next two years after the state Legislature approved funding for an additional 100 positions in the last session.

Lt. Eric Judah, a state police spokesman, said the agency ended its latest round of recruiting in May with 1,200 applications. But many of the candidates were quickly rejected.

"A lot of people send in an application, but we find something right away that disqualifies them," Judah said.

About 600 of the most recent applicants were invited to take physical fitness and written tests at three locations across the state. Of those, 190 failed the physical fitness test and 15 failed the written exam, Judah said.

The remaining candidates now undergo background checks that historically knock out a significant number of potential hires, he said.

Background investigators commonly talk to friends, family and neighbors, review college and financial records and may fly across the country to check out someone who is living far away.

The last time OSP hired new troopers, about 80 people went through the background check process, and 21 made it through and were offered a job, Judah said.

Once a candidate has made it through the interviews, the background check, medical exam and psychological screening, a final job offer is usually made. But that doesn't mean a candidate will accept.

The cost of housing in Central Oregon has caused some potential hires to walk away from an offer, including experienced officers seeking to move to another city or department, Edwards said.

One recent candidate had 28 years of experience, Edwards said, but with "the pay cut combined with the cost of living and the cost of housing, he said, 'I can't afford it."'

Jordan said it was not unusual five or 10 years ago to get 100 applications for one open position at the Bend police department. When he recently posted a notice of six openings, he received only 55.

During the same time, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office advertised for five openings and got a total of 100 applications, Edwards said.

"We're at a point in our society where people do not want to give back to their communities," Jordan said. "They do not want jobs in public service making $50,000 a year as a cop working graveyards, nights and weekends."