From time to time, different municipal organizations will ask civilians to participate in the hiring process for job applicants. Recently the Bangor Police Department asked if I would participate at the oral-board stage of their hiring process. I was honored and excited to do so. Typically, the main reason for a civilian’s involvement is to offer a different perspective. I must say, I’m not sure that my perspective was very useful, but I certainly received a different perspective about the Bangor Police Department.

In the private sector most interviews are an hour or so. As an applicant, you may have several interviews that require you to meet with different departments. At some point, your future boss checks your references and offers you a job. Congratulations, you start on Monday.

At the Bangor Police Department, here is a glimpse of the process: First, you fill out an application that requires a great deal of personal detail and information. Next, you must complete a physical assessment test and a three-hour written exam. If you fail, you may try again at a later date. Next, you sit before an oral-board that is made up of lieutenants, sergeants, patrolmen and, perhaps, civilians. This interview lasts about an hour and is a difficult venue for the candidate.

Tough personal questions are asked about background, psychological issues, stress management, education, goals, hypothetical police responses and much more. The next stage consists of a background check that is thoroughly conducted by a current Bangor police officer. He or she will delve deeply into your past, making sure all the information you have given to date is the truth. If you make it this far, now you have to take a polygraph test. If you pass the polygraph test, you now have the privilege of sitting down with a psychiatrist so your mental health can be evaluated. Next is the physical. The doctor performs a complete physical to determine your overall physical health.

If you successfully complete all the previous steps, you will be required to attend the Police Academy. At the academy, you will spend 18 weeks more or less away from family and friends, an experience filled with physical, mental and traditional schooling, with tests that you can fail. If you graduate, great! You can now start your job with the Bangor Police Department, as a rookie, with no seniority, and a 90-day in-house training program, while being on probation for one year, all for the starting wage of $13.63 per hour. And last but not least, you have to be prepared to see some of the most gruesome crimes, terrible fatal car accidents, suicides, violent domestics and more. During this time expect to be threatened, spat on, physically fought with and unappreciated by some.

As I stated earlier, my perspective on police officers and their job has changed greatly. I was amazed what the Bangor Police Department requires in order to wear their uniform. We as a community should feel safe and proud that Police Chief Don Winslow and his administration have set their standards so high. I encourage anyone who just read this to walk up to an officer and just say, “Thank you.” They’ll know what you mean.

Free Martin lives in Bangor.