VIDEO: Columbus Police Make Changes to Its Hiring Process

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Police makes changes to its hiring process.

There will still be background checks and psych evaluations.

Now, somone’s computer could give more clues about an applicant’s life.

With just a few swipes on a smart phone, the city will start looking a future police officer’s social media pages.

Both administrators and board members agree social media can show more of a person’s character, than they might let on in an interview.

“We just wanted to come together and see if there were some things that we could do as a committee to assist the police department in the hiring process,” said Police Overview Committee Chairman, Dr. Steven L. James.

Checking an applicant’s social media was one of the main points made by both Columbus PD and the Police Overview Committee.

“People can come in and sit in front of you and give a great interview, but social media will let you know how their character really is,” continued James.

Prior to this decision, CPD wasn’t checking the social media accounts of people who applied for an officer’s position.

Now, social media will be observed almost as much as the applicant.

“There are some things that we have to be aware of with doing that with social media, but it does help us to look at a person and how to direct our questions as far as certain issues with social media and what they’re posting out there,” said Columbus Police Chief, Oscar Lewis.

Previous legislation prevents employers from asking employees for a social media password.

“…but anything that’s put out there that’s put out there publicly like that, you’re able to look at it,” said James.

Lewis believes talking to people who may not be a reference on an application can help weed through the process.

“There are things that we can do as far as, you know, getting out into the neighborhoods and talking with the neighbors of these people that are putting in to become police officers,” said Lewis.

Police overview committee members can sit in during interviews, adding an outside perspective to the selection process.

“We’re not allowed to vote as far as who gets the job. Ultimately, that will be the responsibility of the police chief, but we can come in as well and in on the interviews to try and help decipher and see what we can do as far as determine good applicants,” said James.

Chief Lewis tells us CPD administrators will be more thorough in the application process overall, now that CPD’s numbers are up to par, hoping to bring in the best into the force.