Policing expanding in Colfax

As the Colfax Police Department works through the process of hiring two more officers, the three-man force has expanded its coverage time to include nights, which has quelled evening nuisance calls, according to Interim Chief Bruce Blood. Officer Perry Tate has been covering the night shift, patrolling town and talking with people on the street. Blood noted the drop in night time calls shows the effectiveness of officer presence.

Meanwhile, the hiring process for two new officers and a chief is underway. Blood said 15 candidates showed up for the oral boards for the officer positions and top to bottom, all were good candidates with scores in the 80s and 90s. Blood expects at least the top five will be interviewed as they search for the best two matches for the city.

Blood was at his own oral board last week for the position of chief. He was appointed as interim by Mayor Jim Retzer in May. According to Retzer, other than Blood, five inquired into the position and two others applied. However, the other two applicants did not meet the state requirements for qualification.

At Blood’s oral boards, he scored 96 out of 100, according to Retzer. Blood still has to be certified before he can be hired. Officer candidates will also be subject to background checks and polygraph.