Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com:
City officials in Waukegan are making a strong push to increase diversity within their police and fire departments by actively reaching out to minority communities. They’ve sent recruiters to local technical schools, churches, and community events, and even had the mayor speak on both English- and Spanish-language radio stations to attract more applicants from underrepresented groups.
This effort is part of a broader initiative that started months before the official application period began this month. The goal is to address long-standing concerns raised by activists, pastors, and community leaders who have pointed out that minorities—particularly Black and Latino residents—are significantly underrepresented in these roles.
Currently, only 18% of Waukegan’s 150 police officers are Hispanic, and just 7% are Black. In the fire department, which has 120 employees, only six are Black and three are Hispanic. Meanwhile, the city itself is 53.4% Hispanic and 19.2% Black, according to 2010 census data.
Diversity was one of the key promises made by Mayor Wayne Motley when he took office in 2013. However, the need for targeted recruitment became even clearer during a months-long mediation with the Department of Justice and organizations like the NAACP and the Latino Advisory Committee.
Motley, who served as a sergeant in the Waukegan Police Department for 26 years before retiring in 2001, recalls that there were many Black officers during his time on the force. He believes the current lack of representation stems partly from negative perceptions of the police department among Black residents.
To change that, the city has been working on improving public trust through recommendations from the Citizens for Progress Committee and efforts from the DOJ mediation. City leaders hope that these steps will not only lead to a more diverse workforce but also help rebuild relationships between the departments and the community.
Deputy Police Chief Mark Stevenson emphasized that the recruitment process is about more than just filling positions—it's an opportunity to engage with potential future officers and firefighters. Fire Chief George Bridges Jr., who is African-American, added that the city is also focusing on youth outreach programs, such as the Waukegan Explorer Post, which encourages young people—especially girls—to consider careers in emergency services.
The fire department currently has five women on staff, with three in administrative roles. The police department has 16 women, including four Hispanic, three Black, and one Native American. These efforts are meant to be ongoing, not just limited to the biennial hiring cycle.
In addition, the city is adjusting its application process to give more preference to Waukegan residents. While state law dictates most of the hiring criteria, including physical and written tests, the city can add its own preferences. For example, they’re now giving extra points to graduates of Waukegan High School, while removing preference for college degrees, which previously favored white applicants disproportionately.
While these changes are promising, it remains to be seen if they’ll lead to meaningful results. “The big push this time was to make sure everyone knew about the test and had the chance to apply,†Motley said. “We’ve gone above and beyond in informing the public.â€
Applications for the Waukegan Fire Department are due by 4 p.m. on August 5, with applications available until July 29. The Waukegan Police Department will accept applications until September 1. More information is available at waukeganil.gov.
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