Rockford officials could tap a public schools support organization to create a local pipeline for new police officers and firefighters.
The city’s Finance and Personnel Committee voted Monday in favor of a proposal that would pay Alignment Rockford $40,000 per year for three years to create high-school level certification programs for students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or firefighting.
The Rockford Register-Star reports that Alignment Rockford also would create internships, career-assistance programs, and connections to postsecondary programs for these individuals.
Mayor Larry Morrissey hopes such a program would diversify Rockford’s police and fire departments as well as increase the amount of homegrown employees willing to stay in the city. Fire Chief Derek Bergsten also wants to establish a cadet program for interested students before they turn 21. The proposal now goes to the full city council.