Providence Police lower eligible age for new officers to 18

January 26, 2016 5:41 pm

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

The Providence Police Department is lowering the eligible age for new police officers by three years. Recruits can now be considered at the age of 18. It’s a concern for president of the Providence Police Union, Robert Boehm, who says he has not received a definitive answer as to why the change was made.

"Back in the early 1990’s it was raised from 18 to 21 because of the problems they had, or saw with maturity of some of the police officers," says Boehm.

Boehm says they know 21 may not be the magic number. However, he questions why the number is going back down without research or studies that show it will benefit the department. He believes life experience alone is an important factor to look at before becoming an officer.

"In Rhode Island, you have to be 17 ½ before you get a full license. We are saying six months later you can get into a police car, and get into police chases, responding to calls code one. With six months of experience behind the wheel, I’m not sure if that alone is going to be a problem," adds Boehm.

Not all are opposed to the age changing. Providence’s City Council President feels age and maturity don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand.

"If someone who is 19 or 20 can be recruited into the army, go through boot camp, handed a weapon, put out in the field, asked to stand a post, they should have the opportunity and ability to apply for the Providence Police Department," says Council President Luis Aponte.

Aponte feels leaving 18 to 20 year old’s out of the process could be a lost opportunity for the department.

"We are grasping to ensure that we have broad recruitment, to be able to field the most diverse police department that we can," Aponte says.

The age limit decision is ultimately up to the city and the public safety commissioner. However, Boehm tells us during the union’s next contract negotiations, they plan to propose the age limit goes back to at least 21.