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Oak Harbor police outline recruitment push, DOJ-funded entry-level hires and delay to training center
Summary
Chief Slovak told the Police Community Advisory Board that the department is prioritizing staff fill‑up: five vacancies including two sergeant promotions, three entry-level slots funded by a Department of Justice grant (applicants must have no law‑enforcement work in the prior five years), and a public safety training center now expected in April.
Oak Harbor Police Chief Slovak told the Police Community Advisory Board on Feb. 4 that staffing is the department’s top priority this year, outlining efforts to fill five positions, run a sergeant assessment center, and complete a delayed public safety training center.
Chief Slovak said the department is seeking two sergeant promotions and three entry‑level officers covered in part by a Department of Justice grant. He said the DOJ‑funded positions require applicants who have not worked in law enforcement in the previous five years, which effectively limits those slots to entry‑level candidates. "We have to be entry level officers," he said. "We're being discerning on who we're selecting to make sure they're a good fit for the department, good fit for our community, and somebody that we believe will be a long‑term investment."
The chief also reported the department has one Oak Harbor officer attending the Regional Police Academy in Arlington and described that regional training as producing a stronger candidate pool than other alternatives. On the new public safety training center, Slovak said work is proceeding on a shoestring budget and that equipment delays mean the facility will not be ready as early as hoped; he said an April timeframe is now the expectation. "It's moving a little bit slower than I really hoped for," he said, noting delays in defensive tactics mats and limited contractor resources.
Slovak asked the advisory board to help with recruitment outreach and said the department can pay for applicants’ physical‑ability and written tests when warranted. He described a multi‑step internal sergeant assessment center that begins immediately and said leadership aims to promote from within when possible. Deputy Chief Barton was credited in the discussion for hands-on work at the training center.
Why it matters: The department framed the hiring campaign and the training center as investments in public safety and long‑term officer quality. The DOJ grant narrows the applicant pool for the three funded slots to true entry‑level candidates, which will shape recruitment strategy.
What’s next: Chief Slovak said the department expects to complete the academy cohort and continue recruitment through the year; CAB members agreed to circulate candidate names and assist outreach.
